Third Sunday of Lent

Isaiah 55: 1- 9 Luke 13: 1 - 9

Walking down a High Street is not quite the same as it used to be. The number and type of shops has changed as more and more become tea shops or cafés. Charity shops are in abundance. The rise in on-line shopping or the growth of trading estates has drawn many businesses away from our towns. Those that remain must work harder to encourage us to step over their threshold. The displays in the window have to catch our eye so that we hesitate and reflect thinking, “Do I want that?”.

In Isaiah the people are asked why they spend money on that which is not bread? Bread can satisfy the body’s craving for food. No amount of fancy goods purchased will go far in removing any hunger pangs. This is especially pertinent when one considers the amount of goods that can be seen, tempting one to go into a shop and look more closely on what is being offered, trying on for size, checking whether it will do the job that triggered your entering the shop in the first place. But will that item bring the same amount of satisfaction as other things that we might spend our money on?

This not to say that we should not spend our money on things other than food to nourish us. Through the prophet God spoke saying that we should eat what is good. Also, that we should listen and come to him. This, that we should live. But it is not just listen, as with half an ear, whilst paying attention to something else. There are those among us who can indeed do two different things at the same time. Here we are told that we should listen carefully, and unfortunately not everyone is prepared to do that.

We should also be selective in what we spend our money on. Look over a range of items choosing only that which is good. When food is being studied as on a menu care is to be taken that the choice is of food which is good rather than the first that comes to mind. As we eat we should be happy in that which is set before us. A meal which in itself may be absolutely perfect, ticking all of the boxes, can bring delight, but if we are in a grumpy mood the food conveys little.

This is all advice given in the book of the prophet Isaiah, in the reading set for today. The prophet is speaking loud and clear. However, only those who genuinely thirst to hear God’s word will draw near and listen. Those who do not care either way will not be drawn close to God to hear his word.

Out shopping it is only natural that we look at the prices of the goods. Its cost may well reflect upon our decision to buy or not. We may move onwards seeking out a better bargain. However, in Isaiah the prophet is announcing that it is all free. Being called to be a Christian does not cost anything and no charges are associated with that calling. Once that move has been made, once the label of Christian is attached to you, the ongoing charge, the ‘annual membership’ is still nothing. Our gift of growth in the Christian way of life has no charge just as our salvation is free. They are gifts of grace.

If you are to make your way to God and listen to his word, it must be a conscious decision, made with an open heart. It is true that two people can hear the same piece of music or the same form of words, but at the end their recollection of what transpired will be completely different. It is the same when listening to God. Unless there is an earnest desire to listen and to learn, to accept the words being spoken, then there will be little benefit from what had been heard.

Collect for the Third Sunday of Lent

Almighty God,

whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain,

and entered not into glory before he was crucified:

mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross,

may find it none other than the way of life and peace;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.