Too often a “spiritual practice” may be assumed to be something “private” or “personal.” This was not the view of OT Israel, or God’s covenant. John Goldingay has an interesting insight: People in Jerusalem were particularly interested in the spiritual practice of fasting and were puzzled as to why it didn’t work. It’s obvious whyContinue reading “What is a spiritual practice?”
Tag Archives: Lent
Lessons from Isaiah 58
I have touched Isaiah 58 from time to time in my journal during this Lenten season. Currently, I am finding a couple of things that stand out.
Prayers, Lent, and Justice
There are two different threads I have been thinking about in the past few days. One is concerning prayer and Ukraine. We pray for the people of Ukraine. We pray for the million plus refugees. How do we pray for Putin. There are some guidelines in Scripture.
Fasting and freedom
This Lent has been a challenge in my heart to not focus as much on my personal piety and fasting as it has been on setting the captive free. Isaiah 58 has been my base text. This is a note from a study Bible I reference from time to time on Isaiah 58:6. Fasting andContinue reading “Fasting and freedom”
Setting the oppressed free
Is not this the fast that I choose:to loose the bonds of injustice,to undo the thongs of the yoke,to let the oppressed go free,and to break every yoke? (Isa. 58:6) Let the oppressed go free. Israel had those definitions set early in their history and it was repeated through the generations.
Reset toward justice
Isaiah 58 will be my grounding text for Lent. I can get caught up in fasting “correctly” and making sure I do some readings. What I am challenged in this season is the walk I have in this world.
FOCUS… it is Ash Wednesday
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Gal. 6:14) “The Cross is the great revealer, exposing the temporary stuff of earth and directing our hearts and minds toward the everlasting substance of eternity.” — JayContinue reading “FOCUS… it is Ash Wednesday”
The journey of Lent
It is coming to the time of Lent in the Church calendar. This is a time of “penitence, fasting, and prayer, in preparation for the great feast of the resurrection” (BCP 2019). I have appreciated Easter far more since entering into the Anglican tradition. Lent gives me the pause and reflection needed to truly senseContinue reading “The journey of Lent”
The day the revolution began
“The death of Jesus was the moment when the great gate of human history, bolted with iron bars and overgrown with toxic weeds, burst open so that the Creator’s project of reconciliation between heaven and earth could at last be set in powerful motion. The myrtle will at last replace the brier, and the cypressContinue reading “The day the revolution began”
The image bearers and a broken creation
We are reading through Lisa Sharon Harper’s excellent book The Very Good Gospel in a small group at our church for Lent. It is a powerful book focusing on the broken relationships we see all around and the longing to restore shalom in the world. One example: When we deprive people of the ability toContinue reading “The image bearers and a broken creation”
Apprentice 2 Jesus 