26 August 2017

0917 Reflection -- Isaiah 45:21-25



Upcoming Sunday Old Testament Readings

Patronal Feast of
The Exultation of the Holy Cross
Sunday 17 September 2017
Transferred from 14 September
Isaiah 45:21-25
Declare and present your case; let them take counsel together! Who told this long ago? Who declared it of old? Was it not I, the Lord? There is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Saviour; there is no one besides me. Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, from my mouth has gone forth in righteousness a word that shall not return: “To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.” Only in the Lord, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; all who were incensed against him shall come to him and be ashamed. In the Lord all the offspring of Israel shall triumph and glory.
––––––––––––   ––––––––––––   ––––––––––––   ––––––––––––   ––––––––––––

I’m at somewhat of a loss for thoughts as to why this is paired with the Feast of the Holy Cross.  Nevertheless, it is a wonderful reading.  Here the prophet and the people alike are reminded by God of the wisdom of the work of God.  And let’s just be honest: sometimes we need that reminder.  And yet there is also a word of mercy in this reminder.  God reminds us of his wisdom not in order to condemn us but rather to show mercy and to graciously invite us again to embrace God who knows best and desires the best for us and for the whole world which has been created out of love and for love.

––––––––––––   ––––––––––––   ––––––––––––   ––––––––––––   ––––––––––––

Father Timothy Alleman

No comments:

Post a Comment