Reflection for 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection for 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Sept. 5, 2021
 
Isaiah 35:4-7a: Isaiah brings beautiful hope to those with frightened hearts, who feel vulnerable. God promises them “vindication,” or freedom from accusation, blame, suspicion or doubt. In biblical times, those afflicted with illnesses, disabilities or dysfunctions and their families were often blamed or suspected of bringing ill-fortune upon themselves or their loved ones due to their sins and failings. The sins of older generations were thought to bring negative consequences to future generations as punishment. Contrary to this, Isaiah proclaims God’s promise of healing. The prophet reassures us that God is strong, merciful and generous with compassion. Isaiah assures us that God will bring “recompense,” a reward or compensation for suffering and loss. This week, decide to have faith! Our God is so rich in mercy and full of love. Don’t let your hearts be frightened!
 
Psalm 146: “Praise the Lord, my soul!” This is a Sunday of reassuring promises. Here, we’re told that God is faithful in bringing justice to the oppressed; freeing those wrongly imprisoned and feeding the hungry. The next stanza proclaims anew God’s power to heal blindness, deafness, muteness and other afflictions. We celebrate that God raises up the humble and lowly and protects strangers. Let it fill you with joy and hope to ponder that our God rescues, lifts up and sustains the weak and powerless; and that, conversely, He thwarts the plans of the wicked. Even more wonderfully, we don’t worry about the future. We’re reassured that our God shall reign, eternally.
 
James 2:1-5: Today, James calls us to seriously strive to be impartial, such that we’re not selective or “playing favorites” with those we serve or interact with in our living out of our faith. We’re told not to be “judges with evil designs,” such as making self-serving assessments as to whom could benefit us most. We must not try to curry favor or ingratiate ourselves with those who enjoy higher status. Instead, as practicing Christians we’re encouraged not to give preference or unfair attention to the wealthy or powerful, but are called to a higher standard of loving and serving and prioritizing all; but, especially the poor, humble and suffering, as God prioritizes them.
 
Mark 7:;31-37: In this powerful passage, we’re again infused with waves of hope in our incredible God’s ability to open the ears of the deaf, the mouth of the mute and the eyes of the blind. Take time to ponder that people brought the man to Jesus! A deaf man wouldn’t have heard about Jesus, unless someone tells him or takes him to Jesus. There’s a message here for us about discipleship. As disciples, it’s our role to bring others to Jesus. It’s our role to help struggling or suffering others in our lives, to find the Way to Jesus. We may not hear it often, but our role is to evangelize and help as many people as we can to come to Jesus for healing, for forgiveness and for eternal salvation. We’re mistaken if we think evangelization is only the role of priests, nuns and deacons. Bringing people to Jesus and to Church is up to all of us.
 
Who would have thought that on this Sunday of great promises about God’s healing power, that we would turn our focus to evangelization and sharing our faith? With our acceptance and celebration of God’s promise of healing and salvation for us, comes our call to magnify and share that joy and free gift with others! What a noble calling we have received. With whom will you share?

Deacon Matt