28th Week in Ordinary Time, Monday, October 16, 2006

Gal.4:22-24,26-27; Psalm 113; Luke 11:28-32

Psalm 113 is one of my favorite psalms. This is due to the fact that it Brother Jerry Sullivan, S.M., my Hebrew teacher had our class memorize it. It has remained in my memory and I know it in Hebrew and like it when it appears as a responsorial Psalm as it does today. It belongs to the Praise or Hallel Psalms (113-118) and probably was among those sung by Jesus and the apostles at the Last Supper. It is a Psalm of confidence in the power of God who is to be trusted by the 'Anawim or the ordinary people of God who have returned from Exile and are celebrating the Feast of Passover. It speaks of a barren woman who suddenly by the grace and power of God can bear children. Probably, Hannah is the one thought of as this Psalm was composed. I am led to think of Elizabeth,,the cousin of Mary and of Mary herself. Both a barren woman and a virgin bring forth a son, John the Baptist and Jesus respectively. Both understand that "with God nothing is impossible." Background for this Psalm is found in I Samuel 2:5-8 and in Psalm 89. It leads me to pray for such absolute trust in God as these women, the 'Anawim or Poor of God have prayed. God is faithful to his promises. Yes, Psalm 113 shall be my anchor for prayer this day. Halleluiah.

In Galatians and Luke, I was led to think of conversion and then how after conversion one is led to be steadfast and trusting of God in one's life. Then like thethoughts of the above Psalm, we, the converts, can say "Nothing is impossible to God." The sign of Jonah comes from a story of conversion about the prophet named Jonah (the word means "Dove" in Hebrew). For us Christians the sign of Jonah is the promise of a personal resurrection through the power of Jesus, the first to be raised from the dead and after him all others. For with God nothing is impossible--even bodily resurrection.

Paul tells us that Christ has freed us from the bonds of sin through our conversion. We are led from unbelief to belief. Paul concludes with the words, "So stand firm, do not take on yourselves the yoke of slavery." I take this to mean for me, do not return to sinning after having been converted. Amen.