FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YR C
Is. 66:10-14c; Ps 66;
Gal. 6:14-18; Lk 10:1-12, 17-20
REJOICE CHILD OF GOD
The message of our first reading comes to a people who are in a state of great suffering. Some of these people have known suffering and hardship their whole life. This is because it is about people who have been in exile and some are returning. They returned to rebuild their homeland.
The labour of rebuilding and restoration seem unsurmountable. While the project of restoration was the major one, there were also social and economic issues like with every community. The very few influential people working their way to get the best of what is available for themselves and their loved ones. At this point the people can be said to be exhausted economically, psychologically, and spiritually.
In the midst of a depressing and seemingly hopeless situation like this, God gives a promise of hope, an assurance of his maternal love and affection. The times in which we live bear some semblance to the people the message of the first reading was directed to. Like them, we too are embarking upon a rebuilding of the world and healing from personal losses for those who have lost loved ones from COVID-19 infections. The COVID issue is not totally gone, there are new variants here and there and new infections as well.
Just when we seem to have some understanding as to how to deal with the COVID pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war erupts. So, all of a sudden, the richest countries are channelling their resources towards the war depending on which side they support. In all this, the common man and poor suffer most. In fact, many feel great helplessness in these situations. All this is happening on the global level besides our individual challenges. Many of us are tired. You too may probably agree with one of my friends who called me recently and said “I am tired of this world, why was I born in these times?”.
May these words of consolation from our readings today be yours.
The first word of consolation and comfort, in Is 66:10, is the call to rejoice. The call to be happy occurs about four times. Jerusalem is called to rejoice because God will bring restoration and healing. All her friends and sympathizers are called upon to rejoice. Her children and foreigners alike are called to rejoice because she will become a blessing to them all. Her days of mourning will soon be over.
May you make these words your own today. The days of your mourning are at an end. You may be tired, exhausted but the word of God comes with consolation and promise today. God calls you to rejoice. Keep the faith alive. There will be a new and enduring present of joy for you and all those who are dear to you. God is setting you up to be a blessing to others. May our faith be sustained to meet the blessings God prepares for us.
These blessings of prosperity are ours also in Christ Jesus.
The second indication of consolation is the word “comfort” which appears three times in Is 66:13. In these three instances it describes the maternal affection and care of God for his children. He says “As a mother comforts her son, so will I comfort you; In Jerusalem you shall find comfort”. Understood in this context the word refers to the consolation one receives in times of grief and pain. From Latin, it means to strengthen and support.
The assurance of God’s comfort means that God will wipe away your tears. Whatever causes you pain and grief, God will see you through it all. To comfort you as a mother comforts her child imply that, from now on you will never bear your problems and challenges alone. He is with you always especially in your most difficult moments. He will be with you granting you strength and supporting you with his grace and power so that you become great and fulfill all the plans he has for you. Like a mother, God is in your corner to cheer you on to victory. O yes! Our comfort is the Lord.
Under Gods maternal care, “your bones shall flourish like the grass”. Here “bones” refer to the situation in which the people found themselves. It represents their situation of lifelessness, pain, frustration and weariness. The Lord’s nurturing and comfort brings revival and restoration. His love makes them flourish and grow once more. It brings greatness, peace and joy to their doorstep. May God revive you too also.
May every dry bone of disease, of frustration, of failure be revived. May every dry bone of barrenness in your marriage be revived. May every dry bone of confusion and weariness in your life flourish by the power of the Holy Spirit.
God bless you.
Rev. Fr. Delight Arnold Carbonu
