Pentecost 15b - conclusion

I will be officiating at the wedding of Rachel Herring and David Perlich on the beach at Mustang Island State Park this afternoon. It has been a favorite place for the Herrings (at least the younger ones) and the Heinzes for a long time. So it makes sense for Rachel to “tie the knot” in the sand and surf even if it’s 100 degrees and the West Nile Mosquitos are on the guest list. (Ask Craig Loest about beach camp) But folks will fly down for a day and this pastor will perform the ceremony and turn around to drive home for a big Sunday because we love Rachel and we trust David does as well. The lessons for Pentecost 15b start with one of the great chapters in all of scripture. Isaiah envisions the promised restoration of the people and plant. The psalm continues the theme of revival where the hungry are fed and the oppressed are set free. The healing stories in the Gospel reveal the God come down who makes good on the promises celebrated by Isaiah and the psalmist. But in the passages from James we are the ones who act as the hands and feet of the promise. “What good is it my brothers and sisters…” might read as a corrective but it is really an invitation to participate in the promise come true. If faith without works is dead then so are we. But when by faith we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, free the oppressed, heal the sick, care for the planet and creatures that populate it we are the ones who come alive.