THIS Sunday’s First Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (35:4-7) strikes a chord in many of us:
“Thus says the Lord: Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not!”
We have heard these words echoed many times in the pulpit and in our interactions with family members and friends. Still, they are words that are not easy to live by daily during this age of anxiety. Indeed, it takes “strong muscles” to put them into practice.
Our lives have become fragile in this pandemic, and our world has gotten more volatile. Our health and those of our children continue to be at risk. In addition, our nation and the world constantly experience violence, terror, and the threat of war and insurrection.
Still, our peace of mind emanates from a strong faith in God’s power and mercy in the history of our lives and the world. God will never abandon us and condemn the whole of humanity to destruction. He has shown it in our forefathers’ lives throughout the biblical periods and the history of our Christian faith.
It’s how we should interpret the Readings this Sunday. Despite all sickness and the evil things going on in the world today, we will never falter in hope. The blind will see, the lame will walk, and the mute will speak. Springs of water will come forth to nourish our lands. Goodness will triumph over evil.
Mark’s Gospel (7:31-37) speaks of the same in-breaking of God’s reign by the coming and ministry of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He came to heal and to destroy death forever by his resurrection.
But it takes poverty of heart to believe in God’s power. In other words, it requires a great deal of humility and surrender to trust in God’s goodness and mercy.
Might it be then that what we need from Jesus is to heal us from our crippled faith, blind spots, and muteness to speak God’s love and power? Might we need Jesus to tell us, “Ephphatha!—that is, “Be opened!”?
In this life, what we need are not “gold rings” and “fine clothes” (Second Reading, James 2:1-5), but the treasure of a humble faith in God who never fails to love and to save us.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.
