Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
Romans 15:4-13
Matthew 3:1-12
This coming Sunday's readings have an ‘other worldly’ feel while touching on the deep longings of the human spirit and the call for a radical practical working out of another way of living. The longing for that new ‘other’ world is often thwarted by an unwillingness to live differently in the present and our readings therefore challenge us to pray and act radically.
Isaiah 11:1-10 holds before us the vision of a peaceful kingdom emerging from the present “stump”, or cut down and defeated reality. The future hope, while linked to the past (v.1), is the work of God’s spirit (v.2) and will be marked by righteousness, justice, and equity (v.3-4). These marks of the kingdom are easy to give only lip service to yet our New Testament readings remind us that concrete action is called for (see below). For our prayers I suggest firstly we read the passage to remind us of the vision of God’s kingdom. Secondly, that we pray for the Church and its leadership (nationally & locally) for God’s spirit to grant “wisdom and understanding … counsel and might … knowledge and fear of the LORD” (v2).
Psalm 72 is probably a coronation anthem sung at the enthronement of the monarch and as such is a prayer for the king. Subsequently these enthronement psalms were also applied to the kingship of Christ. Again themes of righteousness, justice and equity come to the fore as the people pray. Verses 1 to 7 provide a framework for prayer for national and world rulers and the powers of government and governance. Prayer also involves participation – what can we do and which agencies can we support to promote righteousness, justice, prosperity for all, deliverance from oppression, and peace?
The reading from Romans 15:4-13 shapes our prayers for the inner life of the church and its outer life of mission. Verses 5-6 & 13 is a prayer for us: “May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ… May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” – make that your prayer each day! How this happens is spelt out in verse 7 – it is in welcome and hospitality, make that your way of behaving each day. This becomes the springboard for mission that embraces all people (depicted in Paul’s background as the Gentiles) – pray for the mission and outreach of the Church and for your part within it.
The example and message of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1-12) is a stark challenge to all of us. There is a call to repentance which applies equally to each one of us as it does to others, indeed the sharpness of John’s tongue is directed at those who thought themselves religious. Repentance leads to a new direction – it is always more than saying ‘sorry’, saying ‘sorry’ leads to a change of attitude and behaviour. What are we/you called to repent of and what does the consequent change of attitude and behaviour look like?
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