THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Tuesday of Week 15^th week in Ordinary time, 2022

Isaiah 7:1-9

Ps 48

Matt 11:20-24

Keep calm, have no fear...

Dear friends in Christ, it is a normal human reaction to grow terrified in the face of trouble that is beyond one's power to resolve. It is even more so when lives are involved particularly war, which is capable of destroying both humans and the entire belongings of the people. But faith in God is the biggest way to conquer fear. Three hundred and sixty-five times the Bible uses the phrase 'do not fear' or its equivalent, to show God's abiding presence and his willingness to conquer their troubles for them.

Our first reading today (Isaiah 7:1-9) is about God's assurance to his people that he will defend them despite their unfaithfulness. Isaiah had become a great and powerful prophet. Even those who did not like his message still listened to him. He announces the rule of God over his people and sometimes dabbles in what happens in the political arena. Though the issue in today's passage is a political one, Isaiah was still involved. To the North of Israel is Assyria, to south Egypt and these were the great powers of Isaiah's time. Between these two greats were smaller nations that were more of buffer states and which were constantly shifting because of their safety. In this area were Syria with Damascus as its capital, Israel with Samaria as its Capital, and Judah with Jerusalem as its capital. These nations were aligning themselves with either super-power or with each other. Just after about a year of Ahaz becoming the King of Judah, Syria and Samaria attacked him to force him into an alliance with Assyria. The prophet Isaiah warns Ahaz against such an alliance in this passage, "Take heed, be quiet, do not fear, do not let your heart be faint because of these two smoldering stumps of firebrands...It shall not stand, and it shall not come to pass...But if you would not believe, surely you shall not be established."

The gospel (Matthew 11:20-24) however comes as an upbraid of some of the cities where Jesus had worked most of his miracles and a warning. "Woe to you Chorazin!, woe to you Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago...Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day."

Dear friends, for those who listen to the word of God, those who stand with God, there is nothing to fear. They are assured of God's protection even in the face of battles that are beyond human solutions. What is the battle of your life? Stand with Jesus or you won't stand at all. Remain firm, have no fear, the Lord is your strength. The solution may not come in the immediate but be assured that God is in control.

Let us pray: Lord I surrender myself to you. Be the pillar that holds my life and cast out every form of fear. Amen.

+Remain blessed