Trinity Sunday: First Reading, Isaiah 6:1-8                                       

Isaiah 6:1-8

Open to the sixth of Isaiah and there is just so much. The scene should be for us as it was for Isaiah, simply overwhelming. Scholars and commentators have argued over just what the prophet was seeing, and where he was while beholding. I fall in the camp that this is no stroll into the Jerusalem temple, but the very presence of His Majesty in the heavenly Temple. The end of Isaiah’s experience is a commissioning. Not unlike the “Great Commission” of Matthew’s gospel, this sending forth comes as a result of impeccable and at times frightening preparation.

We read the gospel accounts and very often watch with wide eyes the miraculous events beheld by our ancient brothers and sisters. And sometimes as is appropriate, we watch with a degree of fearfulness. I get the same impression as I stand on the outskirts watching our brother Isaiah. The earthly foundation of a King and friend has been removed from beneath Isaiah’s feet (Uzziah’s death, v. 1), and in the presence of the King of Kings, even the foundation of the Lord’s house is shaken at His beckoning. Isaiah literally claims his own disintegration before the Holy One (“Woe is me,” v. 5), and it’s always been interesting to me that Isaiah cites the dirtiness of his mouth. Perhaps because he is privy there to the voice of utter perfection and beauty.

And in the goodness of our Lord, messengers are sent to Isaiah. The Seraphim, the burning ones, bring live coals from the heavenly altar. Akin to the precious blood of Jesus, what these coals cleanse is cleansed indeed. Tradition holds that perhaps Isaiah was actually disfigured by the “reality” of the angel’s work as a reminder. Although I cannot believe anyone would ever forget an experience like the one here to which we’ve been given access.

Isaiah later will call his people to “Behold Your God” (Is. 40:9). Indeed. It’s always an appropriate call to the people of God. And here in the sixth of Isaiah we’re given so much to behold. Take it all in.