Ordinary Time

Pause

In what ways do we think we are already wise? What do we think we already know?

And how might Jesus challenge us to unlearn and relearn these things, so that we can be brought deeper into God's wisdom?

Listen

Isn’t this the fast I choose: releasing wicked restraints, untying the ropes of a yoke, setting free the mistreated, and breaking every yoke? Isn’t it sharing your bread with the hungry and bringing the homeless poor into your house, covering the naked when you see them, and not hiding from your own family? Then your light will break out like the dawn, and you will be healed quickly. Your own righteousness will walk before you, and the Lord’s glory will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and God will say, “I’m here.”

Isaiah 58:6-9

Think

Isaiah prophesied against those who thought ritual alone was commanded, and he reveals the fast that God truly chooses for humanity. God wills that we break down systems of injustice by doing those small acts of justice available to everyone. God’s Word, however, reveals more than we already know. God does not command us just to feed the hungry or house the homeless poor. God wills that we share our food with the hungry, that we welcome the homeless into our houses. Justice here is about community, not just material goods.

Once more, then, we must look to God for wisdom before we seek it in ourselves. We must look to learn wisdom, above and beyond seeking to know. And finally, we must look for all this in relationship. For since we cannot find wisdom just in ourselves or in what we already know, we must seek it in our lives with others —lives shared with God through community with our neighbors. This could start in your youth group, in the soup kitchen, at home.

Ed Watson

Pray

God, as I seek to be wise in you, I pray that I might always seek to learn further. I pray that I might never rest just in giving or knowing, but always look to learn more than I can myself by building relationships of love and justice. May your Spirit grant me this, so that I can manifest your Spirit to others. Amen.

Go

Be wise today by seeking to relearn wisdom through Jesus.

Look to the ways in which the light of Christ reveals things anew.