Sermon preached at Church of the Good Shepherd, United Methodist, Columbus, Ohio, Ash Wednesday, February 25, 2009. “Calling All Phonies” Isaiah 58:1-12; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 It is quite an indictment, isn’t it? “Shout out – don’t hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet!” It gets one’s attention, doesn’t it? “Announce to my people their rebellion!” Isaiah is telling us: Sit up! Pay Attention! Listen with all your might! Then, speaking for God, Isaiah lays out the problem: The people are complaining to God that despite their consistent fasting and prayer, they feel God is not listening to them. Isaiah has a different point of view: The people are a bunch of phonies and hypocrites. Why? Isaiah says – you’re fasting and praying, but you still oppress your workers. You fast and pray, but you still quarrel and fight and lash out in anger. You fast and pray and genuflect and bow and wear sackcloth and ashes and make a big production out ...
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