(Is 38:1-6,21,7-8; Mt
12:1-8)
At the end of our week long journey with
prophet Isaiah, today he intervenes in the sickness of king Hezekiah. At first,
Isaiah the prophet informed the King that the sickness would lead to his death.
On hearing this, Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, and prayed earnestly to
God, and wept bitterly. God received his plea, and sent Isaiah to go and inform
the King, saying, “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I
will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of
the hand of the king of Assyria, and defend this city.” Hezekiah asked for a
sign to show that God will fulfill what the prophet said. Isaiah told him that
the sun would turn ten steps backwards.
If we too call out to God in our
distresses, He will answer us, for He sees our tears. And He has given us the
greatest sign that He will attend to our pleas in the cries and tears of Jesus on
the Cross, whose Blood pleads for us incessantly (Heb 12:24). But the people did not
accept Him; Jesus became a sign that was rejected (Lk 2:34). Thus, we see the
Pharisees in the Gospel of today, opposing Jesus, accusing Him of allowing His
disciples break the Sabbath. Jesus pointed to them the examples of David and
the Temple Priests of old who were never accused of breaking the law or profaning
the Sabbath though they did what was forbidden. “I tell you, something greater
than the Temple is here.”
Because of their hardness of heart,
the Pharisees failed to recognize who was in their midst. They did not know
that Jesus is the Master of the Sabbath!
He is the reason for the Sabbath; the answer to the Temple worship. He is the
greatest Sign that fulfills itself. Hezekiah cried to God, and He answered him.
Still, he asked for extra sign from Isaiah. Now, Jesus cried for us on the
Cross and God heard Him. So, in our distresses we only need to call on Jesus and
our ‘cry’ will be heard. That means the answer to our ‘cry’ in Jesus already
awaits us, and is assured. Therefore, we need not ask for another sign to
believe. Jesus is the answer! Those who run after miracles before believing
that their cries have been heard are among those who rejected Jesus as the
ultimate sign.
Therefore, Jesus said, “I desire
mercy, and not sacrifice.” This is what we are expected to pursue, not signs. By
our acts of mercy, we wipe the ‘tears’ of others. And when we call, Jesus will
surely answer and wipe our tears. Let us move forward this day in charity and
confidence, the blessing of God goes ahead of us. Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic
Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Friday July 17th, 2020.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com
