Sunday 8 September 2024

Today is Sunday the 8th of September, beginning the 23rd week of Ordinary Time. Checko Ankrah and Nicky Lathbridge sing, ‘High and Lifted’. How might you join in with this song today? You are worthy to be praised You are worthy to be praised You are high and lifted up You are high and lifted up You are high and lifted up Oh Lord You are high and lifted up We're surrounded by Your presence, oh God You are high and lifted up Your glory fills Your glory fills the space, oh God You are high and lifted up I hear the sound of angels I hear the sound of Heaven I see Your glory fill this place, oh God You are high, You are high and lifted up Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 35:4-7 Say to those who are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.’ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. Sometimes we come across challenging qualities attributed to God: coming with vengeance and terrible recompense . . . Is it about context? Might we have questions around the image of God being presented? How do you deal with this kind of challenge in scripture? After this opening, we then have text that reminds us of the ministry of Jesus: the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Jesus heard all these scriptures and both encountered and embodied God in the midst of them. . . . As you listen again, imagine Jesus hearing these words and meeting God in them… What might Jesus want you to know about God today? Speak with Jesus about anything that has arisen for you, and listen for anything he might want to say to you… Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.