Authentic Spirituality, Authentic Humanity

Isaiah 1:1, 10-20

1 The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

10  Hear the word of the Lord,

    you rulers of Sodom!

Listen to the teaching of our God,

    you people of Gomorrah!

11  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.

12  When you come to appear before me,

    who asked this from your hand?

    Trample my courts no more!

13  Bringing offerings is futile;

    incense is an abomination to me.

New moon and Sabbath and calling of convocation—

    I cannot endure solemn assemblies with iniquity.

14  Your new moons and your appointed festivals

    my soul hates;

they have become a burden to me;

    I am weary of bearing them.

15  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.

16  Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;

    remove your evil deeds

    from before my eyes;

cease to do evil;

17    learn to do good;

seek justice;

    rescue the oppressed;

defend the orphan;

    plead for the widow.

18  Come now, let us argue it out,

    says the Lord:

If your sins are like scarlet,

    will they become like snow?

If they are red like crimson,

    will they become like wool?

19  If you are willing and obedient,

    you shall eat the good of the land,

20  but if you refuse and rebel,

    you shall be devoured by the sword,

    for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Queries:

To what do you feel invited by Isaiah (or by God through Isaiah)?

What does it mean to you to be authentic? What does authenticity look like?

Why is authenticity important? What’s at stake?

How have you noticed yourself becoming more authentic?