Scripture Reflections for Tue.Wed. July 15,16,2008

Scripture: 15th Tue. ordinary, July 15, 2008. Isaiah 7:1-9. Psalm 48:1-2a,2b-3,4-5. Matthew 11:20-24. Lectionary # 390: Believing and Repentance are the themes suggested by the first reading from Isaiah; while Jesus is calling us to repent. We turn to Isaiah where Israel is being threatened from Syria and Ephraim. They are about to storm and destroy Jerusalem. Isaiah addresses King Ahab and warns him not to find a solution except through total trust in the power of God, the protector of God's people Israel. His words to the King are also meant for us: "If you will not believe, surely you shall not be established." Isaiah wants Ahab to be strong in his faith in God; the same message is meant for us. We are to be secure in the providential care of God; we are called to be strong in faith (Fortes in Fide). Jesus calls the cities that he has frequented in Galilee, the norther part of Israel, and the land where he himself grew up. He frequently stayed at the home of Peter in Capernaum. He is familiar with the town of Chorazin. Both cities are excoriated and humiliated in his comparing them with Tyre and Sidon. There is not hope unless they repent. Both cities have witnessed Jesus' miracles and cures and yet they have not turned back to God through listening and following the words of Jesus in their daily lives. They refuse to change, to repent, to turn back to God. Prophetic voices like Isaiah and Jesus are strong in their demands and we do not like to listen to prophets, but both are authentic prophets and are calling us to listen to the words of God. We know well that God's word endures forever, yet to follow it in our own lives is difficult and challenging as our days roll on. We are rightly disturbed and we realize we need such voices which call us to a deeper faith and to sincere turnabouts in whatever is wayward in our lives. Through their words carefully received and trusted we do return to God. Belief and repentance mutually collaborate within our hearts if we are open to the sacred word of God and Jesus. Amen. Wednesday of 15th week in ordinary time, July 16, 2008. Scripture: Isaiah 10:5-7, 13-16. Psalm 94:5-6,7-8,9-10, 14-15. Matthew 11:25-27. Lectionary # 391: Today's passage in Matthew is one of the most consoling and beautiful in the New Testament. It is a direct revelation from Jesus to those who trust and believe in Him. One such person who is a living commentary on this passage is St. Therese of the Child Jesus or the Little Flower. She lived from 1873-1897, a short life of twenty-four years, but she lived her life so simply and fully that she still influences us today. She took to heart and lived each day in the light of what this passage is telling us. Jesus himself is thankful for the gift of those who are so moved by their faith to accept what he is saying. The saying comes from the contemplative heart of Jesus as he communes with God, his Father. One scholar was so struck by the passage and is similarity to the thought of the Fourth Evangelist John, that he compares it to a "meteorite" which has fallen from John into the field of Matthew! The thought also resonates with Psalm 8 which shows that from the simplest people comes praise of God. Children have this gift of wonder at what God does around them. By the way, this was the Psalm that was cited when the first man landed on the moon! Jesus goes on to tell us that such revelation from God is given to the merest child (think of St. Therese of Lisieux). We learn that we can only learn about this revelation from the mouth of Jesus. We can only know of the love of Jesus and his Father for him through this revelatory word. Like Jesus at the beginning of the proclamation we offer profound thanks to God. Amen.