Dear brothers and sisters, “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).
When we are besieged with life difficulties and problems, we long for solutions that will bring them to an end. When we are met with ugly situations and conditions, we long for a change, a transformation to more appealing conditions that bring happiness and joy to our lives. Any help to achieve this becomes timely and ultimately desirable. Sometimes, the situation can become so overwhelming and beyond what one can handle, human help is useless. God becomes the only hope in this critical moment and turning to him the only way out.
In most of their life journeys, the Israelites found themselves in such situations that their only hope was God and their ardent faith and trust in Him. In those moments of their lives, God did not disappoint them. He showered his blessings upon them. He delivered them from peril, from the bondage of slavery, and continued to protect them against different adversities.
The situation in our world today seems to be such that it has defied human understanding, knowledge, and wisdom. The pandemic situation or the Covid-19 has paralyzed the world and changed the order of things too. Scientists and medical professionals have given information and counter-information, opinions and counter-opinions, but the end is still not in sight. So many are afraid to socialize or resume their normal or usual routines. On this backdrop, the promise of our Lord in the first reading offers so much consolation.
Through the prophecy of Isaiah, the Lord promised that he would create a new heaven and a new earth. In the new heaven and the new earth, there would be rejoicing and happiness. There would no longer be the sounds of weeping or crying. The things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind. Such a promise of the Lord is refreshing and timely. To those who are passing through different harrowing ordeals of life, such a promise of the Lord is a lightning hope. He has heard your cries and would grant you restoration.
We must show faith and believe the word of God. It was similar favor that the royal official’s son received, as we heard in the Gospel. His father manifested faith in Jesus Christ and interceded for his son’s healing. Jesus Christ did a new thing in his life and healed him of his sickness to his father’s amazement. Let us continue to show faith in God, keep trusting and believing in Him that His promises will come to pass in our lives.
Always remember that Jesus loves you!
