Dear brothers and sisters, “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).
The different seasons of the year help us contemplate the beauty of creation. Now is Fall season, and the shades of colors of the leaves that characterize this season give a gorgeously beautiful environment. Before long, winter will set in with its cold and snowy weather that is so serene. It is also amazing to see such sights as the sun rises, or to observe the exquisite nature of its setting.
A contemplation of Nature, the Mountains, the beautiful Alps, etc., points to one reality, the existence of God, who is the maker of these things. Thus, God’s creations testify to His Being. In the first reading, while addressing Cyrus, who did not know him, God asserts that He is God, the creator of heaven, maker of the earth, and all there is. He designed the earth and established it to be lived in. He forms the light and creates the darkness. He makes well-being and woe. It was God who chose Cyrus even though he was ignorant of Him. Thus, God does whatever He wills.
He Deserves Our Worship and Adoration
It is interesting to note that God prompted Cyrus to know Him through His creation, works, and undertakings. Some people act like Cyrus. They do not accept God’s existence, nor do they desire to worship Him despite seeing, observing, and experiencing the beauty of nature, beautiful creation, and the mighty works of God. Like Cyrus, they fail to understand that God deserves their worship and adoration. But indeed, God desires and demands that from his creatures.
Worship or adoration is an act of veneration, reverence, honor, love, etc., to God, in acknowledgment of God as the creator of heaven and maker of earth and all there is. It is a homage to God in recognition of God as our Lord, Creator, Savior, and Father, and acknowledging all His works. It is what God desired when He said, “To me, every knee shall bend; by me, every tongue shall swear.”
Let us Recognize Him Through His Works
The beautiful words of Psalm 19:2 read, “the heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament proclaims the works of his hands.” It is imperative to recognize God through His works and for us to be drawn to Him through them. Such also was the message of Jesus Christ in the Gospel. When John sent his disciples to ask Jesus Christ, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus did not give them an outright “yes” answer. Instead, He replied to them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.” Invariable, what Jesus was telling the disciples of John was: look at the work I have done and make your judgment. My works speak for me. If I am doing the work of a Messiah, then I am the Messiah.
Day to day, God continues to do marvelous works in our lives and the lives of our families. He continues to lead, guide, direct, protect, and provide for us in many diverse ways. He continues to bless us with life and life essentials. It is essential for us as Children of God and disciples of Jesus Christ to recognize these special blessings of God and be drawn to Him through them. No matter how negligible some of them might be, let us know that every work of God is a pointer to God’s love for us, His existence, and His being.
Always remember that Jesus loves you!
Thank you for this reflection. God is good and continues to bless me inspite of all my weaknesses and failings.