Today I need to confirm the readings and let our worship team know where I’m going, so I now have to commit. Here’s what I sent them:
Isaiah 58:6-7 and Mark 9:2-7 (I’ve shorn off Mk 9:8-9 because I want to leave God’s words clear at the end of the reading).
And for the worship leaders…
Hi Carl, Paul
At the moment I’m thinking like this:
Isaiah 58 is almost always read at the start of Lent – its significance is undeniable, so it will form the cornerstone of what I have to say.
The second reading varies; I like to think of it as a lens to view Isaiah through.
“This is my son… listen to him”. And what does he say?
So I’m looking at a Matthew 6 kind of fasting – facing outward, not self-centred, us and we, not I me mine.
I’m seeing an outward-looking generosity, and outward-looking Lord’s Prayer, an idea of self-denial that requires the other side of the coin to be “What you did for the least of these…”
And I’m looking at Christ at the centre, glorious and divine, ultimate… yet intimate.
Bless you
Jon
