Isaiah 59:15-21

Read: 

Isaiah 59:15-21 (NRSV)

'15Truth is lacking, and whoever turns from evil is despoiled. The LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice.
16 He saw that there was no one, and was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm brought him victory, and his righteousness upheld him. 17He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in fury as in a mantle. 18According to their deeds, so will he repay; wrath to his adversaries, requital to his enemies; to the coastlands he will render requital. 19So those in the west shall fear the name of the LORD, and those in the east, his glory; for he will come like a pent-up stream that the wind of the LORD drives on. 20And he will come to Zion as Redeemer, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression, says the LORD. 21And as for me, this is my covenant with them, says the LORD: my spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouths of your children, or out of the mouths of your children's children, says the LORD, from now on and forever.

Think:
 Truth is lacking... there was no justice.

I watch a lot of "crime" TV.  My favorite shows are Bones, Criminal Minds, Law and Order (and its spin offs), Sherlock (the BBC series).  I also like the medical dramas like House, ER, and even got into Grey's Anatomy for a while.  It drives my husband crazy that I love shows that are so formulaic.  There is a problem, and with in an hour the problem is solved.  It's very unrealistic.  He's a bigger fan of Sci Fi- things like the X files, Star Trek, Battle Star Galactica.  Not that I don't like those shows, but other than the X files I could take them of leave them.  Why is it that we both like the X files?  I think its the Moulder Scully paradox, Moulder is looking for truth, Scully is looking for justice.  In the opening of the reading today in Isaiah the truth is lacking and there is no justice.  I wonder if the reason that I really like the shows that I like is that they are looking for Truth and Justice.  Isn't that what we are all looking for?  The God's honest truth and the Justice of Jesus Christ are not easily present in our daily life and work.  I just answered a GOE question on ethics and the question was something that centered on this question of justice and ethical action.  How is it that we seek Justice in the world, but do not act justly?  What is it that will change the world we live in so that the Lord can once again see truth and justice in our lives?   It seems simple, but it is Love isn't it.  God so loved the world... God is love.  Jesus is the Truth.  When I was in college, I remember sticking my wise-ass Freshman hand up in the air and saying in response to my fellow classmate's question regarding the myth of Creation that the Big Bang Theory was just as much a myth as Creation in the book of Genesis.  At the time I was trying to show that belief in one is just as unlikely as belief in the other, but I think now that belief is key in making something so.  I have got to believe that Justice and Truth exist.  I have to believe that the Truth is out there.  So why am I seeking it on T.V, rather than in real life before me? 

 Pray:

Lord of Justice, Lord of Peace, I pray that you will teach me to seek justice in the world, not in representations of the world.  Help me to understand that justice and truth are more than plot twists and cliff hangers.  Show me the meaning of your law, help me to show others that meaning in my daily life and work.  I ask this through the Lord of Micah and all the prophets who proclaimed justice as acts of repentance rather than acts of rebellion.  Give me the certainty that Truth is possible, allow me to rest in this knowledge and share it thoughout my world  Amen.

Contemplate:

15 Minutes of Centering prayer.