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Environmental Stewardship Commission
(MEESC)

Episcopal Church in Minnesota
 
Coat of Arms of Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota
 
Shield of Episcopal Church

Upcoming Activities:

Next Meeting:

We meet quarterly close to the solstice and equinox.

Annual Special Projects

Resolutions:

Resolution on the Spirituality of Food Production

Resolution on Church Buildings and Grounds

Resolution on Creation Season
Resolution on Green Congregations

 

 

Lectionary Reflection

Year A, Advent 1
Standard (Episcopal) Lectionary
Revised Common Lectionary
Old Testament Reading

Isaiah 35: 1-10

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, 
     the desert shall rejoice and blossom; 
like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, 
     and rejoice with joy and singing. 
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, 
     the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. 
They shall see the glory of the LORD, 
     the majesty of our God. 
Strengthen the weak hands, 
     and make firm the feeble knees. 
Say to those who are of a fearful heart, 
     "Be strong, do not fear! 
Here is your God. 
     He will come with vengeance, 
with terrible recompense. 
     He will come and save you." 
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, 
     and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 
then the lame shall leap like a deer, 
     and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. 
 
 

 For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, 
     and streams in the desert; 
the burning sand shall become a pool, 
     and the thirsty ground springs of water; 
the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, 
     the grass shall become reeds and rushes. 
A highway shall be there, 
     and it shall be called the Holy Way; 
the unclean shall not travel on it, 
     but it shall be for God's people; 
     no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. 
No lion shall be there, 
     nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; 
they shall not be found there, 
     but the redeemed shall walk there. 
And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, 
     and come to Zion with singing; 
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; 
     they shall obtain joy and gladness, 
     and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. 

 

Reflection on Isaiah 35: 1-10
by the Rev. Dcn Helen Hanten

The Glory and the strength of God is found where the land has water in the wilderness, streams in the desert.  The burning sand becomes a pool.  How very precious water becomes when it is in short supply!  With water enough the people find joy and gladness.  It this passage it is a metaphor for God's grace.  Can we learn to value the clean water which is so abundant in Minnesota and protect it from degradation with as much resolve as those who live in arid countries and only dream of such a blessing?

Printable version

To Reflections on other RCL Readings for Year A, Advent 1:

Reflections available at the active links
Standard (Episcopal) Lectionary
Revised Common Lectionary
Old Testament (Hebrew Scripture) Reading (this page)
Isaiah 2:1-5
Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm
Psalm 122
Psalm 122
New Testament Reading (this page)
Gospel

 

 

The Rev Helen Hanten was a deacon at and an active member of St. Andrew's by the Lake Episcopal Church, Duluth, MN, when she originally wrote this reflection in 1998.  Helen and we welcome your comments. Please address your comments or additional reflections to The Rev Helen Hanten or any MEESC member, or mail them to:


MEESC
c/o C. Morello
4451 Lakeside Drive
Eveleth, MN 55743-4400 USA

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