Lent

March 28, 2023

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a

The Lord God helps me;
   therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like flint,
   and I know that I shall not be put to shame;
   he who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?
   Let us stand up together.
Who are my adversaries?
   Let them confront me.
It is the Lord God who helps me;
   who will declare me guilty?
All of them will wear out like a garment;
   the moth will eat them up. –Isaiah 50:7-9

The more I listen to news reports and see the anger on social media of discrimination and other verbal and violent attacks on people because of who they are, the more I become concerned about people’s sense of self-worth. I can only think that running down other people makes them feel better about themselves. It doesn’t. Such behavior leaves an emptier place in one’s soul that drives us to work harder at diminishing the self-worth of others so we can feel better about ourselves. Indeed, Isaiah describes well the result of such behavior All of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for creating all people in your image, so we can love one another as all people, including ourselves, were declared good at their creation. Enable us to work together to ensure everyone knows your love as we support each other to become who you created us to be. Amen.

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.