The people of Israel were in exile and had no opportunity to pray, to worship as they were accustomed . The prophet laments the situation but sees a new opportunity to connect with God. We have in our day … no burnt offering, sacrifice, oblation, or incense. But with contrite heart and humble spirit let us be received; As though it were burnt offerings of rams and bullocks. The people of St. James are bereft of our opportunity to pray together as a community because of the virus going around. That is distressing, but it also provides us an opportunity. Since we cannot do public worship we can, as the prophet suggested, work to develop a “contrite heart and humble spirit” to become more forgiving and loving.
