Wednesday prior to Epiphany 5

 

[1]

Isaiah 58:3-9a— A More Excellent Way of Life – The godly life expresses itself in service

A proper fast will bring God’s presence and blessing.

The godly life is expressed in service. Among most Christians today, fasting is scarcely practiced. If Isaiah were living today, he probably would not have used it. Though fasting is not generally practiced, the principle still applies. Religiosity in terms of cultic practices, without practical helpfulness to the neighbor, does not bring God’s blessings. When we put our religious devotions into sharing with the less fortunate, we open ourselves to God’s presence and blessings.

The life of a Christian is the primary subject of this Sunday. It is a way of life that is better than living by the letter of the Law. According to Isaiah, true fasting results in meeting the social needs of people. 

Fasting today seems secondary and scarcely practiced. If Isaiah were living today, he probably would not have used it? Or would he? The principles still applies though fasting is not generally practiced. Religiosity in terms of cultic practices, without practical helpfulness to the neighbor, does not bring God’s blessings. When we put our religious devotion into sharing with the less fortunate, we open ourselves to God’s presence and blessing.

In verse 9a, God promises to be at the beck and call of those mired in the troubles of sin. Surely, there is no greater comfort for a person convicted of his sins by the Law than the promise of God to send at the ready with His outstretched hand, His mighty arm and the offer of His righteousness in Christ.

These verses offer comfort once more to a post-Christian world that has largely returned to its old sinful self by this stage in the Epiphany season. Once more, it is clearly manifest that man cannot save himself not ever by feigned righteousness.

 A Collect for the Epiphany Season: Lord God, on this day you revealed your Son to the nations by the leading of a star. Lead us now by faith to know your presence in our lives and bring us at last to the full vision of your glory. [2]

Collect for Wednesday of the week of Epiphany 4: O God, Thou that will not flatter us who love flattery, and dost offer us toil who love ease, open our eyes that we may see what Thou wouldst have us see in all the world about us, and our ears that we may hear what word Thou wouldst speak in him who is that Word, even Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen [3] 01 February 2023—

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[1] Luther’s Seal, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2] Epiphany Collect, Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. St. Louis
[3] Collect for Wednesday of the week of Epiphany 4, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY