Is Congress taking time off to Repent?

Jim Wallis put a post on his blog, God's Politics, that I found interesting. He said that Congress left the House on Tuesday to honor the Jewish holiday, Rosh Hashanah, which begins a 10-day period of repentence. It's a time where you attempt to mend relationships and ask for forgiveness from those you may have wronged. It then culminates on Yom Kippur, where you repent of your sins against God. He says that it couldn't be a more appropriate time for Congress members, Jewish or not, to repent and seek forgiveness from the American people. You can read the entire article yourself if you have time, but what I found most helpful and insightful was the following. He says, "As for the rest of us, perhaps we could also reflect on our need for repentance."

1. For being seduced into lifestyles beyond our means and contrary to our religious traditions of simplicity and stewardship.
2. For living on far too much credit, rather than living within our limits.
3. For sometimes putting economic values ahead of family values.
4. For letting the relentless assault of advertising and a culture of consumption to seed in us the sin of covetousness.
5. For valuing our lives too much by the cultural values of worth, instead of by the values of the kingdom of God.

I thought this was a great call to the church. What are we doing to be better stewards of our time, money and energy? Are we putting our trust in what the world says will give us security? Or are we looking to the Holy One for our hope and salvation?

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the LORD. Isaiah 31:1