Isaiah 49:8-15
John 5:17-30
For the LORD comforts his people and shows mercy to his afflicted. I will never forget you. (Isaiah 49:13,15)
Generally speaking, whenever we feel hurt, upset and sick our family and friends try to comfort us with their presence and encouraging words in order to make us feel better. Though it may not totally change everything but assures us the best that everything will be good soon.
Today’s first reading promises us that God is there to comfort us when we are in need, worry and sorrow. God is always with us to make things better for us even if we feel dry. His presence assures us better days for us. He promises that he will not forget.
God promises to the people of Israel that He heard their cry, saw their sorrows and sufferings. He promised that he is with them always, he will lead and guide them to the springs of living water. Therefore, it is a time of rejoicing and celebration for he is going to restore the land, bring freedom to prisoners, bring light to those in darkness, grant fertile land and water.
But the people are still unconvincing and thinking that God had abandoned and forgotten them. They are wrong. He never forgets because he is loving and compassionate. Even in the darkest moments he will not forget, because of his unflinching love for us.
Jesus in the Gospel claims the same authority to work on sabbath as that of Father and has the same powers over life and death. This enrages the leaders and decides to kill Jesus for this. They understood that Jesus was making himself equal to God the father. He confirms it by saying His reply is “my Father is at work, so I am at work”.
Dear friends, Jesus mirrors God, the Father. God, the Father speaks and acts through Jesus. So everything Jesus does is according to the will of the Father, so to refuse to honor him is to refuse to honor the father. Jesus thus the way, only way to the father.
Therefore, the readings assure us two things for us:
God is our comforter, he will not abandon us in our struggles and troubles.
Jesus is the perfect reflection of God, the Father. He promises strength in our stresses, guidance in our doubts, perseverance in our difficulties.
And it’s restoring and rejoicing time being with God, and walking in his ways.
When cares increase within me, your comfort gives me joy. (Psalm 94:19)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement,who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
Fr. Jayaraju Manthena OCD
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