Isaiah 26:1-6 is the first reading in the Catholic lectionary today. It describes one city that God builds up, and another city that God tears down. Of the former city it says: “a strong city have we; he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us.” Of the latter city it says: “He humbles those in high places, and the lofty city he brings down.”
Some geographical, urban areas grow and some shrink. That’s one way to look at it, but the great prophet Isaiah is pointing to something deeper, to the spiritual city. What is it that protects us from the chaos we all encounter in our lives? Where do we find refuge and support? That is our spiritual city, and it might be growing and it might be shrinking. We ourselves might be the ones building it up, and then again, maybe we are the ones tearing it down. Or maybe it’s our neighbor who is doing so, or maybe it’s the forces of nature, such as youth or old age. Isaiah’s point is this: God also is involved. God also is building up some spiritual cities while tearing down others, however he sees fit.
In this passage, Isaiah reveals three ways we invite God to build up our city, rather than “level it with the dust.” Whenever (by God’s grace) we practice justice and faith and humility, then God is on our side. You might pick one of these ways and make it your desire for today, and you might try praying with the images of the growing city and the decaying city, and you just might find the deep peace and refuge of the spiritual city that God alone can give.