Seasons of civility (Isaiah 65:17–25)

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For more commentary on this week's readings, see the Reflections on the Lectionary page, which includes Anderson's current Living by the Word column as well as past magazine and online-only content. For full-text access to all articles, subscribe to the Century.

Here in Wisconsin, most of the old-timers can recall the good old days when Republican and Democratic state legislators carpooled to the Capitol in Madison. In Washington, DC, a few veteran lawmakers can remember a time when members of both parties entertained one another in their homes on the weekends.