2025-Feb-9: Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
2025-Feb-9: Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 6:1-2a 6:3-8 This chapter of Isaiah was precipitated by the death of King Uzziah (r. 792–742 BC) in 742 BC (or 736 BC, according to some historians) who had ruled for 50 years at a time. At this very time the Assyrian army was armed and dangerous compared to the poor defences of Israel - well into Isaiah's own ministry. Isaiah's grand vision of God's sacred power takes place in the Holies of Holy within the inner sanctuary of the Temple in Jerusalem in the presence of God. The woodcarving come to life as seraphim. And Isaiah has no hesitancy in offering his services to bring the word of God to a disbelieving populace. But first, the seraph approaches an unworthy Isaiah with a live coal. Fire has a cleansing, atoning purpose, but the pain is considerable. The cleansing of sin is not easy. But the touching of the coal to the lips cleanses the prophet and prepares him for a life of prophe...