Daily
Thoughts:
In order to get a better grasp of our first reading today from the Book of the
Prophet Isaiah, we have to consider the importance of the Temple in Jerusalem.
This building complex was the dwelling place of God and the central reminder of
God’s fidelity. It was the foremost symbol of Israel as God’s Chosen People.
They were what the Temple said they were. It became the celebration place for
their identity, their history and their future.
In our
first reading we are listening to verses from the final chapter of Isaiah. It
is a complicated and lengthy series of poems, oracles, threats, history and
songs of comfort and support. What we encounter today is one such oracle
calling out hope and rebirth to the nation Israel.
The
Temple has been rebuilt after exile and so the identity of the nation is
reborn. The verse immediately before our reading, pictures God in a
conception/birth posture which leads to the maternal rejoicing of our reading.
The
Temple itself is in a maternal posture giving birth and consoling nourishment.
The presence of God is again a blessing for all, who like young children, sit
on their mother’s lap and are comforted with the motherly gestures of faithful
love. Those who find life and strength from such nourishment will live their
lives as faithful children in service to their loving God.
In our
Gospel we hear what we might call a “pep talk” or a coach’s half time speech by
Jesus. As Moses selected seventy elders to guide and govern his people, so Luke
images Jesus as a Moses, sending out seventy-two disciples to make known his
coming. Jesus’ challenge to them is that they are to depend on nothing nor
anybody, but on the Spirit with which Jesus sends them. We hear of their joyous
return and excited report of all they had done and seen.
Jesus
receives their report and reminds them that what they experienced was a direct
result of their relationship with God. They belong to God and are dependent on
him for their identity. In other words, they cannot go it alone. They must let
go and let God.
Jesus is
the “kingdom of God” which is close at hand. The ones sent are how that
“kingdom” will be handed on. They will see and do great things, but even
greater are the works that will be done through them without their knowing it.
Today, we
are how the “kingdom of God” gets handed on. Like Jesus’ disciples we too must
be dependent on God so that great things can happen. However, at times we
struggle. At times we think we can go it alone after all, tomorrow don’t we
celebrate independence?
Often, we
want our own identities. We want to create our own kingdoms which are of hands
and for ourselves. We can go down this road but it is the road to ruin. Even in
the independence we celebrate tomorrow God is present. We might say that God is
always be laboring to free us from our independence. God is always reminding us
that what we have is not our doing but God’s doing. If we remain faithful, if
we remain dependent even greater are the works that can be done!
Have a
blessed Sunday!
Daily
Prayer:
Lord,
make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine
Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be
understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.
For it is
in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal
life.
(Prayer attributed to St. Francis Assisi)
A Runner’s
Thoughts:
“Winning has nothing to do with racing. Most days don’t have races anyway.
Winning is about struggle and effort and optimism, and never, ever, ever giving
up.” (Amby Burfoot)
Daily
Blessing:
Sunday greetings and blessings to all. I hope your Sunday has gotten off to a
good start. In a few hours I will head out to celebrate mass at St. John and
St. Mary’s Parish in Chappaqua, New York. It looks to be another beautiful day
here in Pelham I hope it is the same by you!
My prayer
of blessing today is that you will be blessed with the spirit of faith to help
you on this journey of life. May you be blessed with the spirit of hope to get
you through the rough times. May you be blessed with the spirit of love to
remind you in whose image and likeness you are created in, how special you are
and that you are never alone. As you journey through this day may you know that
God is with you always and will never leave you to face your struggles alone!
Happy Sunday everyone and remember to give God a little time today! Peace in
Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
No comments:
Post a Comment