Preaching the Scriptures

The Rev. Jeremiah Williamson Ash Wednesday 2-26-20 Care for the Dying Who is that floating through the air?   Dust.   Backlit visible by the sun that peeks through the window glass.   A final descent before landing on my mortal flesh like a blanket of the finest silk.   And it cannot seem to be removed.   Even in life we are in death. What is this day even about?   Is it dust?   Is it death?   Is it about the mark – the black smudge pressed into the pores of your brow?   The one you wear like a temporary tattoo, that ash cross that clings to your face more stubbornly than dust ever should?   But also sometimes snowing down and living in your eyelashes or marking your nose with a sooty residue.   A sign of decay and it is, of course, falling apart.   It’s a prominently featured mess and yet you don’t wash it off.   You wear it to work, paired with business casual. What is this day about if not letting ...

The Rev. Jeremiah Williamson Isaiah 58:1-9a Integrity It’s not that they weren’t trying.   They were, really.   They were fasting.   And fasting is a big deal – just ask anyone who has ever fasted; I’m sure they will be happy to tell you all about it.   But it just wasn’t working.   That was their real problem.   They were trying; it’s just that it was proving to be a real waste of time.   And, honestly, a terrible inconvenience.   For example, they had punching to do.   It was on the agenda.   And the truth is: food deprivation just makes it so incredibly difficult to strike with a wicked fist; you’re all weak and shaky.   Fasting time is not a good time to scrap.   But apparently they were really committed to fisticuffs because Isaiah claims that they were still fighting right through the fast.   They could give up the food every now and then, but they were not giving up the fight.   All of this fast...