TEXT TO REFLECT
“Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and you will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me;
listen, that you may live.
ISAIAH 55:1-3
REFLECT
As we begin the new year, it is imperative that we examine our plans and aspirations and hopes, and ask the all important question: will these plans and hopes and dreams satisfy? Because if we do not ask this question of all our plans, we risk doing the same unsatisfying thing over and over again as we did the previous years, and feeling stressed and overwhelmed, yet unfulfilled. We risk ending yet another year feeling as if all we had done was chasing the wind, that we had accomplished nothing except to get exhausted all over again.
The passage for today's reflection makes clear that God is not unaware of our needs. “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!" God is not only aware of our thirst and hunger, He offers to feed us and quench our thirst. We often assume that God does not know how desperately lonely we are. Or how insecure we feel, or how damaged our inner selves are. But God knows. He knows that deep inside us, we long to feel loved, and noticed, and appreciated. He knows that gnawing hunger inside us to be made whole, to live meaningful lives, to do things that matter. While serving among prisoners in death row, one reality that struck me was that every one of the prisoners I spoke to wanted so badly to have been significant in a good way to someone else. Whether it was a small deed such as giving a cigarette to a beggar, or something heroic like sacrificing one's life for another, each one desperately needed to see evidence that their lives had mattered to another. The hunger to have lived nobly or righteously, even for one moment, was evident.
God is keenly aware of this hunger and thirst that exists within us. Jesus addressed this when He said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." God understands our hunger and wants to satisfy it.
The second truth is even more astounding. The text says, "Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost." This passage states that God satisfies our hunger without cost. It goes against our common understanding that discipleship is austere and hard. This text tells us instead that enjoying a 'lavish lifestyle' is without cost. It reminds me of Jesus's invitation to "come to me all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble, and my yoke is easy and my burden is light; and you will find rest for your souls." Imagine working for a boss who is gentle and humble! And whose demands are easy and workload is light!! Under such a boss, will we not definitely find rest? We do not often see God in this light. More often we see God as laying heavy burdens of guilt upon us and Christian service as hard labour. But God is easier on us than we are on ourselves. Likewise, God offers us a rich life but does not make us pay heavily for it. He gives it to us free of charge. We just have to come and get it.
Which brings me to the third truth: the ways of God satisfy, while the ways of the world do not. The text tells us, "Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare."
This text implies that we often work hard for that which does not satisfy. The prophet then urges his listeners to "eat what is good". This is where we are called by Jesus to "deny ourselves". This self-denial is not a stoical denial of what is good for us, but a call to turn away from the things that masquerade as good things but are in fact useless or even harmful to us. If our pursuit of power, fame, or money leaves us feeling empty and unfulfilled, then it is in our best interest to stop chasing them by denying ourselves. Then only can we hunger after the really good stuff, which God freely gives us.
At their best, the ancient Jews lived simply. Compared to their neighbours, they were seen as poor and underdeveloped. Their lifestyles were not ostentatious, they did not adorn themselves or their lives with glitter. But they trusted God to provide and they cared for one another. It was to this lifestyle of trust in God and love for their fellowmen that God was calling them to return. It was a call to turn away from the lifestyle of self-indulgence that the world and their neighbours had lured them into, and a return to simple faith in God and love for others.
It is my prayer for each of us as we look towards the new year, that we see clearly what the truly rich and lavish lifestyle is that God invites us to partake of free of charge.
Chiu Ming Li
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