Sunset Light
c. J. P. Mahon, 2013

In frustration, we cry out to God. Come, save us, make our lives right. Restore order and harmony. Give us peace. What is wrong? We go to church every Sunday. We say our prayers. We listen to sermons. Some of us in Eucharistic churches share in Jesus’ body and blood. Yet, our lives are miserable. Wars, murderous rampages, draught, famine, high carbon fuel prices, contaminated food supplies, dirty water, shrinking IRAs, a burgeoning debt and a failing economy. C’mon, God, why? What is happening? Why aren’t you listening to our cries and pleas? We even fast during Lent? Yet, it is more of the same old stuff day after day. Vanities of vanities and all is vanity. Lamentation upon lamentation and yet to no avail!

My people, listen up. I have sent prophets like Isaiah and Jesus of Nazareth to help you find your way. I am God and mere prayers and religious practices will not cause me to change my mind. Until you change, until you repent, until you turn your hearts toward me, nothing will change. If you have read the scriptures carefully you will know that, at times, I have changed my mind. I have relented and shown mercy instead of judgment.

Isaiah, speaking to the people of Israel after their return from exile, told you what I want:

Lo, on your fast day you carry out your own pursuits,
and drive all your laborers.
Yes, your fast ends in quarreling and fighting,
striking with wicked claw.
Would that today you might fast
so as to make your voice heard on high!
Is this the manner of fasting I wish,
of keeping a day of penance:
That a man bow his head like a reed
and lie in sackcloth and ashes?
Do you call this a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD?
This, rather, is the fasting that I wish:
releasing those bound unjustly,
untying the thongs of the yoke;
Setting free the oppressed,
breaking every yoke;
Sharing your bread with the hungry,
sheltering the oppressed and the homeless;
Clothing the naked when you see them,
and not turning your back on your own.
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your wound shall quickly be healed;
Your vindication shall go before you,
and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer,
you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am! (Is 58)

Many years later, Jesus of Nazareth told you what I want:

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. ¹⁵ He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

¹⁶ He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, ¹⁷ and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
    to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him.  He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4)

My people, I urge you to meditate slowly on these two passages. Stop your whimpering and lamenting and listen to me. Meditate on these words. Chew them over in your mind and heart. Fast on justice and compassion. Change your hearts. Show mercy and love and compassion and justice to all, especially the least among you. Note my promise:

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,

and your wound shall quickly be healed;

Your vindication shall go before you,

and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.

Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer. . .

I will answer. Yes, your light shall shine forth because you will be my light to the world. My glory, my light, my shekinah shall be your rear guard (Who needs Homeland Security when I am your rear guard?).

I am your Bridge over Troubled Waters:

When you’re weary
Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
I will dry them all

I’m on your side
When times get rough
And friends just can’t be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

When you’re down and out
When you’re on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you

I’ll take your part
When darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

Sail on Silver Girl,
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way

See how they shine
If you need a friend
I’m sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind.

When we practice justice and compassion, we shall sail on like Silver Girl. You shall be sailing right behind. The proton sparks of stardust within us will explode into the light of Your glory. We shall be “Voices of the Living Light.” Our lament will go away and the scriptures will be fulfilled.

[Let me conclude with the dream I had last night. It was scary but hopeful. I saw a large long building, probably a composite of the White House, Congress, and the Pentagon. In an instant it imploded and was reduced to rubble. The Risen Cosmic Christ with arms lifted heavenward was slowly rising above the rubble.(My Kin-dom is not of this world.)]