We hear a very short two-verse reading from the prophet Isaiah today. We hear often from Isaiah in the seasons of preparation of Lent and Advent, since his prophecies often foreshadow events that will later occur in the life of Jesus, the events of his birth and his death and resurrection. Since our state of Mississippi is rich in farmland, particularly in the Delta region of our state, our analogy today in Isaiah might resonate with us, talking about how the snow and the rain hit the soil so that the seeds and grains will burst forth in the fields to new life, how they will produce bread for those who are hungry. God’s word is supposed to do the same in our lives. It is not supposed to return to God with empty promises and shallow content, but rather to accomplish the purpose for which he sent his word down to earth.
The word of God bears fruit in the lives of the saints in different ways. St John of God, the saint we celebrate today, demonstrates this in a very dramatic way. Born in Portugal in 1495, he served as a soldier until he converted to Christianity at the age of 40. He struggled to find where God was calling him as a Christian. At one point, his violent actions landed him in a mental hospital. With the counsel of John of Avila, he opened up a house of healing and refuge for the poor and the sick in Spain. John’s acts of mercy toward the poor and the sick were back up by a rich interior prayer life and a spirit of great humility. John died of ill health at the age of 55. His helpers in his ministry founded a religious congregation, the Brothers Hospitallers, which now serves throughout the world. Let us unite our prayers with the prayers of St John of God this evening.
No comments:
Post a Comment