3/18/2015 – Wednesday of the fourth week in Lent - St Cyril of Jerusalem – Doctor of the Church – Isaiah 49:8-15

      Scholars believe that the 49^th chapter of Isaiah was written after the first phase of refugees from Babylon relocated back to Jerusalem in 539 BCE after being in exile for 70 years.  I can’t imagine the abandonment and pain the people Israel felt after having been in exile from their promised land. The Lord gives the people encouragement and hope through the prophet Isaiah.  The Lord tells the prisoners to come out.  He tells those in darkness to come into the light.  He tells them that they will no longer be hungry and thirsty.  Like a mother who does not abandon her baby, God will not abandon his people. Although these words would have been very welcome to the people of Israel, I am sure they were rather skeptical based on the experience they had in exile.

       As we hear these words of encouragement and hope during our Lenten journey, we celebrate the memorial of Cyril of Jerusalem, Doctor of the Church. Cyril also lived in a very difficult time in the history of the Early Church. The heresy of Arianism, denying the divinity of Jesus and his one in being with the Father, was gaining popularity during Cyril’s lifetime. Cyril was Bishop of Jerusalem during the 4^th century. One of the most valuable things he left behind was his work Catecheses, which was used in the Lenten season in preparing adults for baptism at Eastertime.  It is a great example of theology and liturgy in the Early Church.  Cyril was exiled several times as Bishop in his defense of the Church and of the faith.  And yet in the midst of his difficult life, he leaves us these encouraging and comforting words about how the Holy Spirit works in our lives: “The Spirit comes gently and makes himself known by his fragrance. He is not felt as a burden, for he is light, very light. Rays of light and knowledge stream before him as he approaches. The Spirit comes with the tenderness of a true friend and protector to save, to heal, to teach, to counsel, to strengthen, to console.”

        Some of us may be going through difficult circumstances in our lives right now.  Lent may be a particularly difficult time for us right now.  We might be struggling in belief and faith.  Let us feel comfort and encouragement in our faith.  Let us feel hope as we continue on our Lenten journey toward the celebration of the paschal mystery.