If you will not believe, surely you shall not be established
By REV. FR. SAMUEL FREDERICK
Isaiah 7:1-9, Mt. 11:20-24. "If you will not believe, surely you shall not be established." This extract from today's first reading summarises our fruitless effort to achieve things or make progress in life without recourse to God, the source of our strength. Ahaz, the king of Judah, was fearful that his enemies were going to attack Jerusalem and destroy the kingdom. Isaiah, at God’s bidding, reassures Ahaz to relieve his unrest, that Jerusalem will not be destroyed or even attacked. Within a short period of time, the northern kingdom of Israel would fall. Yet the southern kingdom of Judah where Ahaz ruled over would remain. Isaiah concludes today’s passage reminding Ahaz and the people of Judah to remain firm in their faith so that their kingdom would endure. Today's Psalm speaks of the special nature of Mount, the Holy Mountain where the Most High dwells cannot be shaken.
In today's Gospel, Jesus condemns the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum because of their lack of faith in spite of the fact that Jesus has done great things in these cities. In them Jesus preached, healed and ministered, but refuse to put their faith in Him. Jesus remarks that at the final judgment, it will go better for notorious evil towns of Tyre, Sidon and Sodom than it will for Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. Jesus castigates these towns for their failing to believe in His miraculous activities. The striking message in all of these is the importance of faith. Faith must not be in armies of who will defend us against the enemies, as Ahaz first believed. Our faith must rest solely in our Lord Jesus. If we reflect on the marvelous deeds which Jesus is doing in our life, our faith will be firm and we will understand that we can do nothing without God. It is only when we come into the presence of our Lord Jesus that we can experience God being with us and be free from fear and anxiety. Even if we are betide by harm, let us be confident that God will never forsake us as long as we cling to Him.
As I add a year to many years on earth today, join me to pray that the Lord will hold me deeper in love with Him and fill my inner yearning for God and may our response to faith be our appreciation of the love and work of God in our lives! Amen!! Remain safe and have a glorious day!!!