Sunday Devotion: 26 April 2020, The Feast of St Mark, evangelist and martyr
Sunday Devotions
Lost and called
Written by clergy and lay people across our Diocesan community, ‘Sunday Devotions’ is a column of short reflections based on a Lectionary reading of the day, suitable for small group discussion or personal use.
Main Readings: Isaiah 62.6-12; Psalm 89.1-9; Ephesians 4.7-16 or 1 Peter 5.5b.14; Mark 16.1-15 or 16.16-20
Supplementary Readings: Psalm 19; Isaiah 50.4-11; Acts 12.25-13.13; Psalm 45; Ezekiel 1.4-15; 2 Timothy 4.1-11
‘They shall be called, “The Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord”.’ (Isaiah 62.12)
I hate getting lost. I get very anxious about not being able to locate myself in space. I wander around until, with great relief, I find something familiar. Up to then I am dealing with rising fear. I feel as if I have lost control of my life and am under threat – being lost challenges me physically and spiritually that much.
I should not worry, however. The physical and spiritual moments I face are taken on board by the Lord who guides the Lord’s people and promises them new life. The people of God often lose their way, but Isaiah reassures them that they have a new name now – ‘The Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord’. They are holy in God’s eyes; they are saved by the Lord.
Jerusalem also has a new name – ‘Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken’ (Isaiah 62.12). Just as I cannot stand not knowing where I am, God cannot stand being away from his people, the people of Jerusalem. Jerusalem will be saved and have a bright future. We know that in Jesus we all become part of God’s Jerusalem.
Here, Isaiah is a prophet of hope. We will be renamed. By God we will be called into abundance. My life will be new again and I will not fear. I will be found even though I am lost.
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