There was much ado about justice in the first two chapters of Isaiah. Last night during the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, we chanted the following sticheron at Psalm 140 (LXX):

“Brethren, while fasting bodily,
let us also fast in spirit:
let us loosen every bond of injustice,
let us tear apart the knots of forced contracts,
let us rip up all unjust writings;
let us give bread to the hungry,
and welcome the poor and homeless to our houses,
that we may receive from Christ, our God, His great mercy.” (Samohlasen Tone 8)

In Isa 2:4 the LORD will “judge the nations.” How we complied will determine our fate. In the trial scene there was no verdict or judgment, just a warning of what will happen depending on our “synergy” with God. There WILL be a judgment later and this judgment gets graphic in our next readings (Isa 2:3-11 and 2:11-22). Take a look at another chiasm found in chapter 2 of Isaiah:

A Land full of IDOLS, BOWING DOWN before the WORK OF THEIR HANDS (v.8)
...B Hide in CAVES and GROUND from the LORD and his majestic SPLENDOR (v.10)
......C Arrogant men being brought HUMBLED, proud men being brought LOW (v.11)
......C' Arrogant men being brought LOW, proud men being HUMBLED (v.17)
...B' Flee to CAVES and GROUND from the LORD and his majestic SPLENDOR (v.19)
A' IDOLS of silver and gold, WORSHIPING what THEY MADE (v.20)

Did you catch it? Of course, an English translation cannot give us the feel of the poetry as in the original language, but it can be found and I think adds beauty to the writings in Isaiah. In fact, the entire book of Isaiah is a chiasm. That may be a topic all its own.

I would like to point out the phrase “work of their hands” in 2:8. This has always been an accusation of idolatry, akin to derogatory phrase “traditions of men” used by anti-Catholics. Byzantines have been accused of idolatry because of our devotion to icons. How does Christ and his Incarnation render such accusations nonsense? I bring this up because this coming Sunday (Feb 17) in our Church is the Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy where we bring icons to church and process around the temple in celebration AND because yesterday's Genesis reading mentions man being made in God's image (icon).

Could you imagine the feelings of the Sanhedrin when Stephen referred to the Temple as a "house' (oikos) made by hands? Brrrrrr. We all know what happened to him. Yet Isaiah writes the same. In fact, Stephen quotes Isaiah 66:1,2 to give his argument and counter-accusation more support.

Let's see, if you want to get into trouble just quote Isaiah. Jesus did in the synagogue and Stephen before the Sanhedrin.

Back to the sticheron quoted above. It mentions fasting, ridding of unjust writings, and charity. Has Lent become a mere ritual with no substance? Have we failed to see the Beatitudes (the New Law?) as mentioned in the sticheron? Do we fast from steaks and burgers but then binge on fish dinners at the local Catholic Church? Do we amuse ourselves with polemics and "fishy' arguments? Do we raise our hands aloft praying to God while being haughty to our neighbor? How many of our temples have been built but visitors have been unwelcomed? How many architecturally correct oikoi but anatomically incorrect People of God?


What does Isaiah's words mean to you? Is it relevant?


Cantor Joe Thur
Deacon-student

[ 02-14-2002: Message edited by: J Thur ]

Thank you Joe. This is excellent.

I agree in your assertion, through rhetorical questioning, that many have forgotten the "meat" if you will of the fast. It is reflected in the large, glorious fish dinners not only offered at local parish halls, but even when we are at the grocery store and buy the salmon, tuna, or shark steaks. Or the prawns, live lobsters, oysters, clams, or squid.

Isaiah is right, of course, we are to truly fast. You can not create a new if you do not willingly cleanse.

[ 02-14-2002: Message edited by: Donnchadh ]

Donnchadh,

You're getting me hungry. Stop that!

But what is all of this if not translated into reality and daily living?

Joe

Sorry about the food

Agreed. That is the key isn't it. I suspect this is what Paul is talking about when he extols love, or charity - depending on which translation you have as the key virtue.

I hold that that same love, of G-d, Church, family, neighbors and even myself dictates that I must live out that love - especially when it is so hard.

Joe, you ask, "But what is all of this if not translated into reality and daily living?" Vanity, of course!

If all our observance of the Fast and of the Teaching of Christ lack charity, if the they lack pure motives, then we are merely Pharisees putting on a show. Pridefully thanking God for not allowing us to become like the publican who dared not lift his eyes toward Heaven. Is not our exterior observance vainglory if we lack the interior disposition toward a radical reorientation of our lives to Christ?

But, how do we put off the old man of vainglorious and superficial observances and put on the new man God calls us to be? Is this not what the Great Fast, in part, helps us to do if we vigilantly persevere against our sinful inclinations?

Ditto Kelly. Very well said indeed.

If it does not come from the heart, that is to say full of love (charity) it is simply vanity and it is very much like the Pharisees.

Lent is the very best time to do this. I love Lent! As hard as it tends to get for me, I love it so.

Hi Mr. Thur,

Your 1:06 PM post from yesterday reminds me of St John Chrysostom's "Do You Fast".To me its the instructions for Lent.


Nicky's Baba

As one who is beginning to write my first icon, I can truly attest to the profound difference in “work of their hands” by an artist and “work of their hands” by God. It's like day and night.

It mentions fasting, ridding of unjust writings, and charity. Has Lent become a mere ritual with no substance? Can I add, have we forgotten that God sees all the motives of our hearts?

Peace,
Loretta