December 1, 2008

Read Isaiah 1:10-20

What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt-offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats. When you stretch out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.—Isaiah 1:11, 15-17

Especially at this time of year, we often feel that it is enough to simply go through the motions. Christmas is coming, so we prepare with the season of Advent. We go to worship, we light a candle, we read a scripture. But Isaiah warns us in the strongest language that just going through these motions is not enough! God does not want sacrifices, or burnt offerings, or rote worship attendance and mindless candle lighting. God wants us to transform ourselves! It is the transformation of ourselves, our attempt to be pure, to cease to do evil, to learn to do good, that brings meaning to our worship. Worship attendance, prayer, singing and candle lighting all have their place, but must be preceded by genuine transformation of our persons. As Isaiah says, we must wash ourselves and make ourselves clean. Remember that going through the motions will not be enough this Advent season!

Pray: O Lord, cleanse and purify me as I approach this Advent season. Guide me in learning to do good so that my heart is properly prepared for the worship and activities of this time. Amen.

David Parnell is a graduate student at Saint Louis University.