Divine Gifts for Servant Calling

Thursday, February 1, 2007 -- Week of 4 Epiphany; Year One -- St. Brigid (Bride)

"Morning Reflections" is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117
An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html


Today's Readings for the Daily Office (p. 946)
Psalms [70], 71 (morning) // 74 (evening)
Isaiah 55:1-13
Galatians 5:1-15
Mark 8:27 - 9:1

Wow! What incredible lessons we have today. Isaiah 55 is not only one of the most treasured passages of the Hebrew scripture but is also respected for its sheer beauty as literature. It is the concluding passage of the mid-fifth century BCE work of prophecy often referred to as Second Isaiah.

The prophet invites an exiled people to a land of plenty where food and wine and milk are freely available. He promises an everlasting covenant with Israel and David. Future interpretations of this passage have shaped many of the messianic expectations that influenced the rejection of Jesus and influence today the creation of imperialistic Christian myths like the "Left Behind" series or "The Late Great Planet Earth."

The final section of this prophet's great work -- verses 6-13 -- is one of the most beloved of all scripture. It is the canticle assigned for Morning Prayer on Fridays in our Prayer Book -- Canticle 10, p. 86. There are few expressions of faith that carry such a lyrical hope.

It is ironic that the lectionary pairs Isaiah 55 with the end of Mark's eighth chapter where Jesus confronts the royal messianic expectations of his followers and his listeners. "Who do people say that I am?" ..." You are the Messiah," answers Peter. But this is not the Messiah of conventional expectation, the Messiah expected by Isaiah 55. This is the Messiah who "must undergo great suffering, and be rejected..., and be killed, and after three days rise again." That's not the kind of Messiah the people wanted. They still don't.

And yet the same prophet who planted such glorious expectations in Isaiah 55 also spoke of the suffering servant of God, especially in Isaiah 53, passages which helped the church interpret the crucifixion of Jesus. "He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed." Jesus closes this confrontation with his disciples' expectations with a call to willing servanthood. "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."

And I can't let pass without comment one of the most compelling and succinct phrases in all of Paul's letters. In Chapter 5 of Galatians Paul gets to the central issue that is dividing the Christian community. Some leaders believed that God required the Gentile Christians to be circumcised and to practice obedience to the Torah. Paula disagrees passionately. "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love."

"Faith working through love." That's a huge phrase. The alternate translation is "faith made effective through love" or "faith made effective through loving acts." In Paul's theology is the faith that becomes effective when we respond to Christ's love. Christ's unmerited love for us is our freedom. But not "freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence," but freedom to love others, freedom to be servants. (The same message Jesus is giving his disciples in Mark 8.) "For the whole law is summed up in the single commandment, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Great visions of the gifts and grace and love of God paired with our responsive calling to be loving servants. Words from prophets five hundred years apart more than two millennia ago. Powerful stuff.

Lowell
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The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Our Rule of Life: We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.