New Hope
March 16, 2013
The personal sense of irony is stark in my mind. As I sat down on Wednesday to begin prayerfully contemplating the topic and direction of this column today, my attention was drawn to the 43rd Chapter of Isaiah.
Tomorrow, some churches will share this text from Isaiah in worship so it seemed appropriate that I spend some time in prayerful contemplation over the special words of the prophet as God proclaims that new and wonderful things are about to happen. God will make a way. Ours is to forget the old ways and look toward the bright, new, and exciting things that God will bring about. Into the desert wastelands of life, God will bring new life, new hope, and new possibilities. Something new is to spring forth and God’s challenge to the church simply is, “Do you not perceive it?”
Historically,
the promise of restoration speaks to the Jews who had been hauled off in chains
to live as slaves in Babylon. Theologically, the prophetic vision looks to
It is a text of incredible hope and promise, as well as a text that cautions the church not to cling too tightly to older ways of thinking and to trust the Divine movement of God’s immeasurable Spirit to bring powerful and profound change to the world. Isaiah’s bold vision from God reaches in to the depths of despair, the darkness of isolation, and across the distance of separation to connect the people of God with our loving Creator. It is a powerful and wonderful expression of Biblical hope.
Amid my studies, I glanced up to my Facebook feed to see a clergy friend of mine in New York post that bells were ringing and the smoke was white. Instantly, my focus shifted from Isaiah to the internet as I waited in wanting anticipation, prayerful hope, and tearful excitement to see who the Vatican would elevate to the highest religious office in the world. Nothing could have prepared me for the overwhelming joy I was about to encounter.
When
Cardinal
Only
history can determine the legacy
As
the new Pope assumes leadership, there is no doubt that the overwhelming joy of
the day will gradually fade. His job will be challenging and exceptionally
difficult. Clearly, not everyone will be happy with him, nor will he be able to
simply be everything to everyone.
Our call as people of faith is hold him and the Church he leads in prayer as his very public example will define all of Christianity in powerful ways. It is exciting to see how his legacy will unfold, and a joy to have watched history in the making!
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