Isaiah 42:24

Who gave Jacob to the spoiler, and Israel to the robbers? Was it not the Lord against whom we have sinned, in whose ways they would not walk, and whose laws they would not obey?

Yesterday, our daughter-in-law, Emily, gave birth to our second grandchild, Paul Fain Hanscom:

http://www.hanscomfamily.com/?p=14455

Our Parish is trying to reduce its energy profile, both collectively and individuallly. The innocence of any newborn, not just Paul, reminds us, politics aside, there is no such thing as a victimless crime. Whatever we do on our walk to Jerusalem is either for or against God. It is God for whom we act or against whom we have sinned, and our actions will have future consequences for such innocents as Paul, as, with or without God, our actions have consequences.

Isaiah 42:5-7

Thus says the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: I am the Lord, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.

This is from what is known as "The First Servant Song." In total, it affirms God's glorious victory and that God is creator of all and source of life. God has called Israel to bring light to nations groping in darkness.

As we walk to Jerusalem, these words can be seen as our "marching orders."

Isaiah 40:31

... but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Next to the "valley of death" verse in Psalm 23, this may be the most famous "walking verse" in the Hebrew Scriptures. The word which translates "wait" doesn't mean we're to be passive, and do nothing until God does. It is an active term, and connotes we're to walk on in confidence, knowing God will not desert us. Our faith, regardless of circumstance, is an active faith.

Nice Quote

The circumstances of our lives are another medium of God’s communication with us. God opens some doors and closes others.... Through the wisdom of our bodies, God tells us to slow down or reorder our priorities. The happy coincidences and frustrating impasses of daily life are laden with messages. Patient listening and the grace of the Spirit are the decoding devices of prayer. It is a good habit to ask, What is God saying to me in this situation? Listening to our lives is part of prayer.

- Marjorie J. Thompson
Soul Feast

Isaiah 35:8-10

A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God's people, no traveler, even fools, shall go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come upon it, they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

What a contrast to Monday's reading - here, when Zion is restored, even fools won't go astray!!! God is our redeemer and ransomer, and the land upon which we walk is like a paradise, like a walled garden full of beauty and rest. There is singing instead of sorrow and sighing. All creation will see God's glory. And, little is asked of us but to walk the Holy Way.

On the Barents Sea

(Photo: IMR)

Franz Josef Land

Isaiah 8:11-13

For the Lord spoke thus to me while His hand was strong upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: Do not call conspiracy all that this people call conspiracy, and do not fear what it fears, or be in dread. But the Lord of Hosts, Him you shall regard as holy; let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.

There is little to be added here. God's ways are not the ways of human beings, and we should keep this always in mind as we walk to Jerusalem. God can either be a sanctuary or a stumbling-rock for us, depending on out choice.

Isaiah 3.16-17

The Lord said: Because the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with outstretched necks, glancing wantonly with their eyes, mincing along as they go, tinkling with their feet, the Lord will afflict with scabs the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will lay bare their secret parts.

This sound misogynistic, but God is equally hard toward the men of Jerusalem. This verse teaches us it is not enough just to walk, but we need to walk rightly.

St. James the Greater, Patron of Pilgrims

Tradition holds St, James preached the Gospel in Spain before returning to Judea, where he was killed by Herod. His body was, legend says, miraculously transported back to Spain. In art, St. James is often depicted as a pilgrim carrying a staff and a bottle of water and dressed in heavy walking boots, a cloak, and a large hat.

Protect Polar Bear Habitat

We are called to be good stewards of the creation. This little video is a reminder to all of us to do all that we can to reduce our carbon footprint and thereby protect this polar ice pack that we have been "walking on" for several weeks.

This Week's Meditation

Matthew 4: 8-10

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me."

Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'"

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Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.

Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.

Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.

This week, let this verse resonate for a day or two and then ponder this question:

What is your mission/vocation/work in life?

A Walking Song for the Next Week

How wonderful it is to walk with God

How wonderful it is to walk with God
Along the road that holy men have trod;
How wonderful it is to hear Him say:
Fear not, have faith, ’tis I who lead the way!

How wonderful it is to talk with God
When cares sweep o’er my spirit like a flood;
How wonderful it is to hear His voice,
For when He speaks the desert lands rejoice!

How wonderful it is to praise my God,
Who comforts and protects me with His rod;
How wonderful to praise him every hour,
My heart attuned to sing His wondrous power!

How wonderful it is to fight for God,
And point poor sinners to the precious blood;
How wonderful it is to wield His sword
’Gainst sin, the enemy of Christ, my Lord!

How wonderful ’twill be to live with God
When I have crossed death’s deep and swelling flood;
How wonderful to see Him face to face
When I have fought the fight and won the race!