Deacon Tom Writes,
“Our Help Is in the Name of the LORD” PS 124:8
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Have you ever had this experience: you are in a difficult situation, and you are desperately in need of help but you have no idea where to turn. Then, someone, a complete stranger, comes to your aid, and you are leftœ with this overwhelming sense of amazement. You just know that God somehow had His hands in these events that touched your life.
The story of the Jews liberation from captivity in Babylon at the hands of the Persian King Cyrus is just such an experience. It is a genuine sign of God calling upon a “stranger” to accomplish His plan in an amazing and awesome way. About King Cyrus Isaiah wrote, “I have call you by your name, giving you a title, though you knew me not”. The Jews were in a hopeless situation; they were being held captive away from their home; their temple lay in ruin; their way of life altered forever. So, they thought! Then Cyrus, the King of the Persians, one did not number among the tribes of Israel, rises up and defeats the Babylonians and comes to their aid. In 538 B.C. Cyrus issued an edict allowing the return of all the Hebrews to Jerusalem. Better yet, he ordered the rebuilding of the Temple and provided that the Israelites be given a royal subsidy from his treasury. He directed that the sacred vessels seized by the Babylonians when they destroyed the Temple be sent back with the released captives. Finally, he urged even the neighbors of the Jewish people who remained in Babylon rather than return to Jerusalem to contribute to the restoration of the Temple. Isaiah tells how God took Cyrus’ right hand and led him, “subduing nations before him…. opening doors before him and leaving the gates unbarred”. Isaiah wrote that the Lord summoned Cyrus. The events that followed tell us that responding to the Lord’s call produces amazing results.
Today we face an unimaginable, life threatening and life changing situations from the ravages caused by natural disasters, tortuous mass shootings in schools, shopping malls, grocery stores. Evidence of a political toxicity is all around us... in the lives, in the physical, emotional and financial suffering we or our family or friends and neighbors are experiencing. This tragedy only exacerbates the everyday problems and difficulties we face in our lives, problems with our relationships, with our kids, our boss, fears of losing our jobs or our health and the political and ecclesiastical discord that threatens the very fabric of our society. We struggle with forgiving those who have hurt us; we struggle with addictions and all sorts of impossible situations. We even struggle with the teachings of our church. We ask ourselves, “How am I going to get through this?” or “Where can I turn for help?”
It’s always darkest before the dawn, they say. I am sure the Jews held captive in Babylon felt that way. But, then God, who is the master of doing the impossible, comes to their rescue and turns their tears into laughter. Isaiah tells us today to keep the faith. There is no struggle or difficulty God cannot overcome!! There is no struggle or difficulty of ours that God does not want to overcome. But the lesson from Isaiah’s text is clear…. the Lord called Cyrus by name to do His work, to liberate His Chosen People, to rebuild the Temple and restore Israel to its former glory. The thing is, God has call us by name, today… and he asks us to do the same. He calls us to respond to the needs of those around us… who have suffered tragic loss, who are in desperate need, who have given up hope. How will we decide to be instruments in the hands of our Lord in helping accomplish His plan?
Enjoy the Day!
Deacon Tom
Please Visit www.deaconspod.com where you will find contemporary conversations with several Paulist Deacon Affiliates and their guests exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer to those on the threshold of our church… those thinking of joining our Catholic Community or walking away from it.
OTHER RESOURCE
Recommended Reading: Pedro Arrupe: A Heart Larger Than the World THE TERM “MODERN-DAY SAINT” is thrown around lightly these days, but rarely does it describe a person as well as it does Fr. Pedro Arrupe, SJ. Often referred to as “the second founder” of the Jesuits, Arrupe led the Society of Jesus beginning in 1965 during a time of profound transformation. He coined the phrase “men for others” and inspired educators at Jesuit Institutions to educate “men and women for others.”
Recommended YouTube Video: Commonweal Podcast - How to Abolish Poverty. The fact that nearly 40 million Americans live in poverty is a national embarrassment. But it’s also a choice. If poverty exists, it’s because we “wish and will it to.”
