The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate the restoration of faith, hope, and love we have experienced on our journey.
City Restored
The reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah describes the return of the Redeemed to Zion as Israel’s Deliverance.
* [35:1–10] This chapter contains a number of themes similar to those in Deutero-Isaiah (chaps. 40–55), for example, the blossoming of the wilderness (vv. 1–2; cf. 41:18–19), which is now well-irrigated (v. 7; cf. 43:19–20); sight to the blind (vv. 5–6; cf. 42:7, 16); a highway in the wilderness (v. 8; cf. 41:3); and the return of the redeemed/ransomed to Zion (vv. 9–10; cf. 51:11). Nevertheless, it forms a unit with chap. 34 (see note on 34:1–35:10) and reflects, along with that chapter, themes found in chaps. 1–33.1
Psalm 85 is a prayer for the Restoration of God’s Favour.
* [Psalm 85] A national lament reminding God of past favors and forgiveness (Ps 85:2–4) and begging for forgiveness and grace now (Ps 85:5–8). A speaker represents the people who wait humbly with open hearts (Ps 85:9–10): God will be active on their behalf (Ps 85:11–13). The situation suggests the conditions of Judea during the early postexilic period, the fifth century B.C.; the thoughts are similar to those of postexilic prophets (Hg 1:5–11; 2:6–9).2
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus heals a Paralytic.
* [5:20] As for you, your sins are forgiven: literally, “O man, your sins are forgiven you.” The connection between the forgiveness of sins and the cure of the paralytic reflects the belief of first-century Palestine (based on the Old Testament: Ex 20:5; Dt 5:9) that sickness and infirmity are the result of sin, one’s own or that of one’s ancestors (see also Lk 13:2; Jn 5:14; 9:2).3
Maureen McCann Waldron finds it harder to concentrate these days and her prayer is particularly unfocused. She shares being too busy, too rushed, too preoccupied to concentrate.
Loving God, let these readings seep into my heart that I might beg you to water the desert in my soul and find my way to the safe road you have created for me. Help me to focus my love and attention on Jesus enough that I am not distracted by crowds or criticism as I beg for healing.4
Don Schwager comments that Jesus not only brought physical healing, but healing of mind, heart, and soul as well. Jesus came to bring us the abundant life of God's kingdom (John 10:10). (copyright © 2021 Servants of the Word, source: daily scripture.net). He quotes “Jesus heals spiritually and physically,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"When the Savior says to him, 'Man, your sins are forgiven you,' he addresses this to humankind in general. For those who believe in him, being healed of the diseases of the soul, will receive forgiveness of the sins which they formerly committed. He may also mean this: 'I must heal your soul before I heal your body. If this is not done, by obtaining strength to walk, you will only sin more. Even though you have not asked for this, I as God see the maladies of the soul which brought on you this disease.'"(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 12)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Isaiah 35:1-10 comments that we all know what it’s like to experience a season of dryness in prayer. It’s hard to motivate ourselves. We feel as if we are talking to a wall, not to the Lord. We don’t feel any consolation or affirmation as we try to connect with the Spirit. We may wonder what God is doing or whether he is listening to us at all. These are the times when we need to take Isaiah’s invaluable advice: “Don’t give up!”
One good strategy for building your foundation of prayer is to spend the time contemplating the creed that we say at Mass. Recite it slowly and tell the Lord that you believe in everything you are saying. Don’t just look for God’s comfort; look for his truth. Believe that he is still at work, even in hidden ways. Look at the cross and place your faith in Jesus’ resurrection, even if you don’t feel like a new creation at that moment. So don’t give up. Strengthen your weak knees. Persevere. Know that God always rewards those who persist in honoring and trusting in him. “Jesus, thank you for those times of dryness when you call me to seek you more deeply. I trust that you are using them to make me strong in your Spirit.”6
Friar Jude Winkler shares how Isaiah compares Israel’s restoration to the fertility of Lebanon, Carmel, and Sharon. In preparing to celebrate the restoration of Jesus we have to open our hearts to allow love to enter. Friar Jude reminds us that we may see incredible things that bring the awe and wonder described in the Gospel to us.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, describes the gift of confidence, which arises not from our ego or efforts, but from the foundational goodness of God.
The good news is that there is a guide, a kind of inner compass—and it resides within each of us. As the Scriptures put it, “the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us” (Romans 5:5). This Holy Spirit, described in John’s Gospel as an “advocate” (John 14:16), guides all of us from home and toward home. The Holy Spirit is entirely for us, more than we are for ourselves, it seems. She speaks in our favor against the negative voices that judge and condemn us. This gives us all such hope—now we do not have to do life all by ourselves, or even do life perfectly “right.” Our life will be “done unto us,” just as happened with Mary (see Luke 1:38).7
The gifts of faith and hope, revealed by the Spirit, are the foundation that encourages Love to guide our actions.
References
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