Sermon - 10-4-20

<p>Friends, this past week has been one for the record books.  I don’t care which side of the political spectrum you happen to support, what we saw on Tuesday night can only be described as bullying, mean, cruel, and abusive. Such behavior is not ok!  It is <strong>not</strong> ok in public life, it is <strong>not</strong> ok in private life, it is <strong>not</strong> ok in civilized society, it is <strong>not</strong> ok if you have any care for the common good, it is <strong>not</strong> ok as we live in relationship to others, and it is the <strong>antithesis</strong> of how we are called to live as people of faith.  As I continue to ponder the events of the past week, let alone the events of 2020, I have truly been feeling a deep sense of lament and enormous grief about what is happening in this country.  I have also been thinking about today’s readings and, oh my, do they ever speak to us today. </p> <p>In our first reading, the prophet Isaiah begins by singing a love-song concerning his beloved’s vineyard.  When looking at Isaiah’s words, I think he gains the attention of his listening audience when he begins to sing what sounds like a beautiful love-song.  And, like us, the people who listened to Isaiah’s song likely expected to hear a ballad with a happy ending.  Isaiah sings of how God, his beloved, did everything possible to set up a healthy, thriving vineyard. He tells of how God spared no effort to create an environment conducive to success.  The soil was fertile and cultivated; the stones were removed; only the finest quality vines were planted; a watchtower was built in the middle of the vineyard; and a wine vat was built in preparation for the harvesting and processing of the grapes. The love-song is most pleasant to the ears, and listeners’ heartstrings are touched by the nurturing care of the beloved. Yes, the prophet Isaiah is serenading us with such a beautiful love song.</p> <p>         But wait, before you are lulled to sleep with these tender words, listen to what follows. As the iconic Gom