I'm writing theological commentaries on the advent psalms for cycle A of the lectionary. It is part of the huge Feasting on the Word lectionary commentary project sponsored by Westminster John Knox. I was reading the texts for the 3rd Sunday in advent, and was knocked over by the claim/promise in Isaiah 35:8 (actually, I'm sitting down, but you get the picture: spirtually knocked over).
35:8 A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God's people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray.
I think I have ususally been put off by the bit about "the unclean shall not travel on it" as I generally think Jesus would have been with the unclean and so scripture texts that uphold clean/unclean are problematic. But look what getting hung up on that bit did! It kept me from really hearing that next bit about no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. Really? Then there's hope for me, and you, too, on this long sojourn, in the depths of this now but not yet.
Anon and peace,
Chris
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