Sean Major-Campbell | Isaiah and Marley for resilience

ON THIS fifth Sunday in Lent, Prophet Isaiah is clearly using literary strategy in his preaching in Chapter 43. He refers to the significant event of the exodus from Egypt; and then has the nerve to say, “Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old.” He is surely not trying to encourage amnesia though. He is addressing his audience in Babylonian exile.

They will certainly recall their triumphal deliverance from Pharaoh’s Egypt! However, they must now interpret God in their current situation. Escaping from Egypt was one thing. Living as exiles in Babylon is a completely different thing.

In 2025, the journey of faith is faced with challenges in ways many of us are yet to see. Many of our Caribbean family members and friends in the diaspora, the United States in particular, may be feeling overwhelmed in these uncertain times. Many may even be staying away from church due to various fears.

Isaiah perceives that God is about to do a new thing. Was Isaiah doing the rasta man chant? Bob Marley and the Wailers have long chanted down Babylon. We do well to do the same. This is resistance and resilience.

“I hear the words of the rasta man say

Babylon your throne gone down, gone down

Babylon your throne gone down

Said, I hear the words of the higher man say

Babylon your throne gone down, gone down

Babylon your throne gone down”

Prophet Isaiah brings the word of the Lord saying, “I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert ... for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare my praise.”

Let us hear Prophet Bob Marley also as he chants: “And I hear the angel with the seven seals

Babylon your throne’s gone down, gone down

Babylon your throne gone down

I say fly away home to Zion, fly away home

I say fly away to Zion, fly away home

One bright morning when my work is over

Man will fly away home”

For me, all of this is like Mary the mother of Jesus, declaring that the mighty will be brought down from their thrones and the lowly will be lifted up.

(Please pause a while to listen online to Rasta Man Chant. Also take a look at the words of the Magnificat, Mary’s song of praise.)

BABYLON IN OUR TIME

In the Bible and certainly in Rasta ideation, Babylon is any oppressive force or “downpression” on God’s people. With Babylon comes persecution. However, another dimension to the Babylon image is that Babylon may be allowed to reign for a season due to judgment on those who strayed from the ways of Jah. And when judgment comes, it does so on the just and the unjust. No one is spared!

USING PRAISE FOR RESILIENCE

Lazarus’ sister Mary indeed filled the air as with praise from the perfume with which she anointed Jesus’ feet. She declared her praise even in the face of convenient opposition. We do well to look at geopolitical and local events as did Jesus who read right through Judas’ comments re the money spent on the ointment. John placed these words in brackets, “He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.”

Judas expressed “concern” that the money could have been better spent on the poor. Jesus had to remind him that the poor is always around. It is now common to hear political platitudes that mask the reality of what selfish power-hungry personalities seek.

The woman anointing Jesus’ feet simply continued her worship and praise. Sometimes, worship and praise are all that those in Babylon have to do resistance and resilience. Isaiah knew this. The word of the Lord to God’s people then is to expect waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Expect surprising moments of refreshment and renewal. Expect a change in your situation. Expect the dullness to be bathed with light and new life. Most importantly, stay positive and do positive things.

Things will not always remain the same. There is life after the current state of your situation. There is light after the darkness. Whatever that darkness may be.

Keep on loving your neighbour. Keep positive vibrations alive. Keep on walking with God.

The Collect for the fifth Sunday in Lent recognises that there are swift and varied changes in the world; and they are certainly taking place. Note though where our hearts are to be fixed:

“Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” ( Book of Common Prayer)

Fr Sean Major-Campbell is an Anglican priest and advocate for human rights and dignity. Please send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and seanmajorcampbell@yahoo.com