Is 66:18-21
Thus says the LORD:
I know their works and their thoughts,
and I come to gather nations of every language;
they shall come and see my glory.
I will set a sign among them;
from them I will send fugitives to the nations:
to Tarshish, Put and Lud, Mosoch, Tubal and Javan,
to the distant coastlands
that have never heard of my fame, or seen my glory;
and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations.
They shall bring all your brothers and sisters from all the nations
as an offering to the LORD,
on horses and in chariots, in carts, upon mules and dromedaries,
to Jerusalem, my holy mountain, says the LORD,
just as the Israelites bring their offering
to the house of the LORD in clean vessels.
Some of these I will take as priests and Levites, says the LORD.
Meditatio/Reflection:
"I come to gather nations of every language...They shall bring all your brothers and sisters from all the nations." How easy it is to fall into the trap of self-righteousness, of pride of faith, over and above that of others, to the point that we start to fail to remember that all others, from the other nations (for the Jews, those others being the Gentiles) are truly our brothers and sisters. We read elsewhere the ease at which even individual families, let alone the human family, falls apart: Cain and Abel probably being the primary example. But troubled families abound in Scripture as they do in history and today. But as St. Paul says, "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Rom 5:20). This is to say that God always offers more grace in any given temptation or trial so we may succeed in overcoming them with His help.
This reminds me distinctly of another of St. Paul's sayings: "No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it" (1 Cor 10:13). How easy it is to forget that so many of our struggles are common struggles, and yet we feel alone. I think that is a particular temptation of Satan, who is both tempter and accuser. Who tempts me and then accuses me of being weak and worthless when I fall to his temptation. In that moment of feeling weak and worthless, it is so easy to despair of God's presence, of his love. How could God ever love me?
Our God is a God who comes to seek the lost. From everywhere imaginable. From every dark place, every despairing attitude. From every trial and temptation. And God will send us to help him seek the lost. And it should be a great consolation that he wants us to join him in this journey. What better way to affirm our worth than by including us in this great mission.
Oratio/Thanksgiving:
Thank you, Lord, for your constant provision and protection, especially in dark times and in dark places. Thank you for your gift of hope.
Oratio/Prayer Intentions:
Lord, help me to never to allow myself to fall into a place where I don't seek your graces.
Mr. Crane's Song of the Day:
Danny Gokey: Hope in Front of Me
Saint Quote of the Day:
"Whenever we think of Christ, we should recall the love that led Him to bestow on us so many graces and favors, and also the great love God showed us in giving us in Christ a pledge of His love; for love calls for love in return. Let us strive to keep this always before our eyes and to rouse ourselves to love Him."
- St. Teresa of Avila
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