Ordinary Times

February 1, 2022

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 6:9-13

And he said, ‘Go and say to this people:
“Keep listening, but do not comprehend;
keep looking, but do not understand.”
Make the mind of this people dull,
   and stop their ears,
   and shut their eyes,
so that they may not look with their eyes,
   and listen with their ears,
and comprehend with their minds,
   and turn and be healed.’
Then I said, ‘How long, O Lord?’ And he said:
‘Until cities lie waste
   without inhabitant,
and houses without people,
   and the land is utterly desolate
until the Lord sends everyone far away,
   and vast is the emptiness in the midst of the land.

Even if a tenth part remains in it,
   it will be burned again,
like a terebinth or an oak
   whose stump remains standing
   when it is felled.’

We are the cause of our own destruction. Fred Craddock, in a sermon I heard years ago, shared his thoughts about ennui—a French word incorporated into the American form of English. It means a feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction: languor or emptiness of spirit*. The essence of Craddock’s message was that God did not create us to live in such a state of being. God called us to lives of wholeness, fulness, and abundance. However, we choose to target our greatest talents and skills in all the wrong directions—greed instead of generosity, self-righteousness replacing justice. José Andrés is an outstanding chef and successful in business. Since starting his relief organization, World Central Kitchen, 10 years ago, Chef José Andrés has helped serve more than 50 million meals to people impacted by natural disasters around the globe, from hurricanes and earthquakes to wildfires and even a volcanic eruption**. We all have seen former president Jimmy Carter building Habitat for Humanity houses always with a smile on his face. Mother Teresa had the tenacity to soar to the top of politics, yet she chose to serve and advocate for the poor. None of these people wallowed in languor or emptiness of spirit. Neither should any of us.

Prayer: Lord, when we find ourselves in despair, open the windows of opportunity that show us the way to fullness of spirit.  Amen.

*https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/en%C2%B7nui

**https://www.shondaland.com/act/a35618726/chef-jose-andres-serves-up-hope-and-a-helping-hand/#:~:text=Since%20starting%20his%20relief%20organization,and%20even%20a%20volcanic%20eruption.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.