In today’s reading from the book of Isaiah, the prophet vents God’s disgust with the elaborate religious ceremonies and rituals of the people. These seem to God the height of hypocrisy, in light of the rampant injustice of society. God compares their corruption with the legendary Sodom and Gomorrah. Just so, as the prophet’s voice is heard in our own time, we should understand them as a challenge to us, wherever the wickedness of these infamous cities persists in our own society.

It is a widespread misconception that the wickedness of Sodom had to do with sexuality. But the infamous confrontation with the men of the city was about violent intimidation, seeking to drive Lot’s guests out of the land (after relieving them of their money). Robert Keiser writes, “Classical Jewish texts agree that the cities were destroyed because the inhabitants were nasty and uncompromisingly greedy.” (“The Sin of Sodom and Gomorrah”, Interfaith Working Group Online) The prophet Ezekiel says, “This was the guilt of Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy.” (Ez. 16:49) Hospitality to strangers and economic justice in the community have always been a central requirement of God’s Covenant with Israel and also of the New Covenant with us. But Isaiah declares, “Your hands are full of blood. Make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” Do that, God says, and then we’ll see about your precious rituals.

When believers evade or give mere lip service to these critical Covenant responsibilities, when they do not labor to create a decent, compassionate society, all forms of religious piety and practice are worse than useless…they offend and sicken God, who says, “I cannot endure your assemblies…my soul hates your festivals; I weary of them - they are a burden to me. When you stretch out your hands, I hide my eyes; though you make many prayers, I do not listen.” The message is clear; we ignore or exploit the poor at our spiritual and material peril; if we embrace them as long lost kin, God will once again embrace us. Economic justice so central to God’s purpose that Isaiah revisits this theme in Chapter 58.

SING: THE FAST

O Lord, each day I seek you and long to know your ways.
Each day I listen for you voice to guide me all my days.
Even now I wonder, I wonder if you see,
your servant who is fasting and humble before thee.

My child it gains you nothing to kneel upon the ground,
If you leave my temple and keep your brother down.
You only seek your pleasure, take pride in your displays.
I will not be moved by a fast like yours today.

Listen while I tell you what seems good to me;
To loose the bonds of wickedness and let the poor go free
The streets are full of hungry souls. Share your bread with those.
Give to the homeless, shelter and to the naked, clothes.

Then the Lord will feed you and he will make you strong.
And the Lord will guide you your whole life long.
Your life will be filled with every good thing.
You will be a garden -- a never failing spring.

Then will your light burst forth, like the dawn.
Then will the healing of your spirit begin.
You will be protected by glory of the Lord.
And when you call, the Lord will answer you…“Here I am!”

Words & music: Jonathan Hutchison © Heartsounds 1984

Ironically, when true religion and spirituality prevail, individuals and the society as a whole are freed from the destructive power of financial anxiety and the greed it fosters. In today’s gospel reading, Jesus says to his disciples, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Luke 12:32-40)

SING: SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM

Seek first the Kingdom and all else shall be added unto you.
And all else shall be added unto you.

We live and move and have our being in the body of God
Through love we find the Christ within. Love is the way to the Kingdom

Consider the lilies, how they grow, living out God’s holy plan
Be not anxious – the Spirit provides. Faith is the way to the Kingdom

Heed the call of the Christ within. Store not your treasure on earth
For where your treasure is, there shall your heart be. Open your heart to the Kingdom

Seek first the Kingdom and all else shall be added unto you.
And all else shall be added unto you.

Words and music, D. Hutchison © Heartsounds 1984

If we really believed that God knows our needs and has provided for them, that there is enough to share, then we would be able to live by faith. The author of the book of Hebrews speaks of a reality that truly exists but is often beyond our capacity to see. The heroes of faith learned to obey God’s will and order their lives according to divine principles, trusting that God would honor God’s promises. They “looked forward to the city with real, eternal foundations, whose architect and builder is God…Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them. This city is more than a metaphor for heaven. It is the city we called to help God create, here and now.

SING: LIGHTS OF THE CITY

I can almost see the lights of the city and they’re shining down on me
I can almost see the lights of the city. Forever, Lord, we shall be free

Now John tells us of a city, so high up above where we’ll meet in a spirit of love
Yes, we’ll meet over yonder in that heavenly place and we’ll see each other face to face

Now John tells about a time when time itself shall be no more in the day when the trumpet shall blow
Yes, we’ll meet over yonder in that heavenly place and we’ll see each other face to face

I can almost see the lights of the city and they’re shining down on me
I can almost see the lights of the city. Forever, Lord, we shall be free

AMEN