The Haunting Beauty of the Gospel

Prepared by Rev Sanya Beharry (PCTT/CANAAC Steering Committee)

I often have scriptures that “haunt” me through various periods of my life. Perhaps God knew (knows) that I’m a stubborn creature who needs multiple reminders and time to reflect before I get the point. This year’s Lent came with Isaiah 58:1-12 as the source of my “haunting”. 
At first I wondered about the line about “exploiting your workers” (Isaiah 58:3), thinking about the many ways in which we human beings still don’t treat each other as human beings. It even brought to mind the ways in which we tie our worth to our ability to be productive, which puts those of us with  mental illnesses, chronic illnesses and disabilities at an inherent loss. Over and over, I hear from people whose survival has become too expensive – food, shelter, and health care have all become beyond their reach, despite their employed status.
Then I wondered about the “striking with fists” (Isaiah 58:4) and thought about the many women (and men) of our congregations and countries whose partners proudly go to church and proclaim Jesus as Lord but go home to abuse their family and others physically, sexually, mentally, emotionally, financially, and spiritually. There is no justice from the authorities. There is no safety in the spaces where they should have been space. The hypocrisy of it all can be sickening at times. 
But then I got to the end of the passage which talks about being like a “watered garden, a spring of water whose waters never fail.” In John 20:15, Mary mistakes Jesus to be a gardener in his first sighting post-resurrection. Perhaps, she was not mistaken at all. Jesus, as the living waters and the one who does not even break a bruised reed, is one who brings nourishment and renewal in circumstances that seem bleak and beyond redemption. Jesus is the one who specially tends to those who are hungry, homeless, sick, oppressed and broken. 
As Easter approaches, it is my hope that we do not drown in the despair of all that is broken in the world but perhaps commit to a life that brings Isaiah 58:12 into fruition. It may be our own act of resurrection as, “Ancient ruins shall be rebuilt” – rededicating ourselves to caring for each other as structures of community are rebuilt. We should “raise up foundations of many generations” in knowing the work we do today may never benefit us but will bless generations yet to come. We have a responsibility to be “repairer(s) of the breach” and so we cannot simply cut away that which is broken or makes us uncomfortable… our resurrected Lord forgave even those who crucified him on the cross and asks us to love our enemies. 
Finally, we are called to be those who are “restorer(s) of the streets to live in” – to make a safe home where we can all dwell. Jesus says to Mary to tell his brothers that he is “ascending to my Father and your Father” (John 20:17). No longer are we servants; no longer are we even just friends; but Christ is indicating that we are family. We can live together in a new harmony built on the deep abiding love of Jesus Christ who binds us together. 
I pray that this transitionary period from Lent into Easter is one that also contains scriptures that will “haunt” you and bless you abundantly!