In the Abrahamic religious traditions, the words of the ancient prophets have been quoted for centuries.  Some words from Isiah have actually worked their way into common awareness.  For example, the words, “let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we shall die” come from Isaiah as do the words “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”  These words are inscribed on a wall that faces the United Nations building in New York.

Last Sunday’s service included a reading from Isaiah, which is not unusual during Lent as Isaiah foretold much about Jesus, his life and his mission.  But in this time of seeming discord, I noticed these words:

If you remove the yoke from among, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday.

 For the first time, I noticed more than just the call to action which makes up most of the first part.  I know that I am, theoretically, not supposed to speak evil and that I am to feed the hungry.  Doing good in the world is a sure way to bring light and vanquish darkness, as George H. W. Bush popularized during his time in office.  I know many of us see being positive agents of change as perhaps the best way to address to sense of division in the US today.  But I had never paid attention to the last six words:

your gloom (will) be like the noonday

 Isaiah’s call to action is more than just about impacting the world around me by doing good, it’s also about impacting my own personal world.  He has given me a powerful tool to lift my own spirits and reminds me that doing good is a key essence to my own well-being.   Avoiding the pointing of fingers not only enables discussion in the world around me, it also keeps my light from being snuffed out by my own negative projections.  I can illuminate those who I come into contact with and, by doing so, bask in the warmth of the sun that I help bring forth.