Arulvakku

22.03.2023 — Intensity of Love Remains

4th week in Lent, Wednesday – 22nd March 2023 – Isaiah 49,8-15; Jn 5,17-30

Intensity of Love Remains

In the first reading, Isaiah is speaking to those in exile. As they experience the darkest day of their lives in hardship and bitterness, the prophet reassures them with God’s Word. He declares to them that better times are ahead. He was comforting them with the hope that God would restore them to the promised land and would take care of them, nourish them and lead them back on their journey home. The prophet says, “At the time of my favour I have answered you.” It is a reference probably to the year of Jubilee, wherein the return will bring about the same restoration of land for the people as the celebration of jubilee did in earlier times. In fact, the exile was a result of the people’s unfaithfulness, but God was not going to hold that against them forever. The people of Zion had taught, “Yahweh has abandoned me, the Lord has forgotten me.” But they are utterly wrong. God does not forget his people. He is full of tenderness and compassion. God will care for the chosen people more than a loving mother cares for the child of her womb. One thing is needed, we must turn to God and seek His divine will, then God will be there with his unchanging intensity of love to sustain and lead his people forward.