As I read the Old Testament lesson from today and began to prepare my sermon, two main thoughts came to my mind. The first thought was a comment a friend of mine had said to me: “There are many dead people in church. People who go each Sunday and do not do anything but go through the motions”. My friend belongs to a very stern biblical purest church and sometimes my eyes almost roll out of my head when he speaks in general terms. This “Dead People” comment has always been a thought I had disregarded. I hate to think that anyone would be dead; after all didn’t Christ die on the cross so all could live eternally? Some people, myself included, can find great solace and closeness to God during worship in church. Personally, I cannot count how many times I have cried during a service from being so moved by a verse or by a portion of a sermon. As I looked further into the reading, another theme revealed itself to me: “Like a bright light bulb had suddenly been turned on.” That drawing closer to God cannot be done by worship alone. It is essential to humanity for us to put God’s love to work toward our fellow men and women. I was inspired and refreshed to hear that doing God’s work is so vital to our faith. Faith is the essential part to having a relationship with God.
I have reflected on my friend’s comment and, though it does not sit well with me, I know there is truth to what he has said, especially after hearing today’s reading. True worship is more than religious ritual, going to temple every day (church) weekly, fasting, and listening to the scriptures. God does not want us to act pious when we have sins on our hands and in our hearts. He is not looking for us to go through a series of religious rituals and acts alone. There are many people who leave God, turn from his love, his compassion, and his grace at the door on their way out of church. I have seen and been one who has. Think about this as an example, have you ever swore or honked a horn when you’re cut off or not let in to merge. I have. ``I have also done this as I am rushing off from church on Sunday to run a seemingly endless list of errands. So, maybe it could have been me that one summer day, tearing out of our driveway beeping and screaming after being cut off as I left church. I certainly left my Christianity at the door after service once or twice.
The passage from Isaiah talks about the importance of helping others. It speaks of caring and doing more than just rituals to please God. Let’s take a look back at what the writer goes on to say. Isaiah talks about how acting compassionately for those in need is more important than fasting, correct worship, and the knowledge of doctrine.
I have reflected on my friend’s comment and, though it does not sit well with me, I know there is truth to what he has said, especially after hearing today’s reading. True worship is more than religious ritual, going to temple every day (church) weekly, fasting, and listening to the scriptures. God does not want us to act pious when we have sins on our hands and in our hearts. He is not looking for us to go through a series of religious rituals and acts alone. There are many people who leave God, turn from his love, his compassion, and his grace at the door on their way out of church. I have seen and been one who has. Think about this as an example, have you ever swore or honked a horn when you’re cut off or not let in to merge. I have. ``I have also done this as I am rushing off from church on Sunday to run a seemingly endless list of errands. So, maybe it could have been me that one summer day, tearing out of our driveway beeping and screaming after being cut off as I left church. I certainly left my Christianity at the door after service once or twice.
The passage from Isaiah talks about the importance of helping others. It speaks of caring and doing more than just rituals to please God. Let’s take a look back at what the writer goes on to say. Isaiah talks about how acting compassionately for those in need is more important than fasting, correct worship, and the knowledge of doctrine.