Reflection on the Gospel of the Tuesday In The Twenty-Fifth Week In Ordinary Time |
Matthew 9:9-13 (Feast: St. Matthew) |
In Isaiah chapter 1; we hear the anguish of God’s heart, narrated to us through the prophet Isaiah. He recounts how Israel, though a son of his, has been dishonourable to him, cut himself from him and mired himself in every conceivable way, that he can alienate himself from him Maker and Father. Yet God was ever steadfast in his love for Israel. He never forsook him, though he chastised him, that he may learn and repent.
Then in verses 18-20, he yet again offers to Israel, hope – a lifeline…
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;
but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword;
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
(Source: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah+1&version=RSVCE)
In today’s Gospel Passage, it is the same hope that Jesus is giving Matthew, and also to all of us, ‘You may be all drowned in sin, all red in sin, do not despair. I offer you hope – do not worry about sin in your life. Come to me, remain with me and drink from the fountain of life and live…” Guilt is what separated Adam, and guilt is what separates us from Our Father… It is not sin that keeps us away from God, It is us and our sense of shame that keeps us away from God.
lets end with these words that God addresses to us
Don’t let fear keep us apart
Trees do bend though straight and tall
So must we to {when} called
Your coming home to me
And living deeply our new lives…
