God’s Word: Fulfilled in and through us

In this passage, the prophet Isaiah points to the things that God was going to do for his people. God’s word to all faint hearts is, ‘Courage! Do not be afraid. Look, your God is coming, vengeance is coming, the retribution of God; he is coming to save you… Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, the ears of the deaf unsealed, then the lame shall leap like a deer and the tongues of the dumb sing for joy… the scorched earth becomes a lake, the parched land springs of water’ (cf. Is 35:4-7). The words of this prophecy unfold as in a drama through the actions of Our Blessed Lord. The words find fulfilment as Jesus attends to the deaf man who had an impediment in his speech. The scripture tells us that Jesus, ‘took him aside in private, away from the crowd, put his fingers into the man’s ears and touched his tongue with spittle. Then looking up to heaven he sighed; and he said to him, ‘Ephphatha,’ that is, ‘Be opened.’ And his ears were opened, and the ligament of his tongue loosened, and he spoke clearly’ (Cf. Mk 7:31-37)   

Beloved People of God, the word of God is unchanging, yet it can change anything. God is faithful. He fulfils his promises with perfect timing and precision. There is no doubt that his word can achieve what it says, in spite of us, yet he chooses that his word finds fulfilment in us and through us. Our Blessed Lord, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, is God. He is the Word that was made flesh. He dwelt among us. In him and through, God’s promises as of old, found fulfilment in every way. 

In our time, in our thoughts, words and deeds, we ought to become the embodiment of the word of God. In us and through us, may God’s promises continue to find expression and fulfilment. 

                               Fr. Ted

All to Jesus – Through Mary our Mother

23^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

8^th September 2024