God’s Love is Everlasting!

 

18th week Wednesday in Ordinary Time

Year One

Num 13:1-2, 25-14:1, 26-29,34-35

34 According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, for every day a year, you shall bear your iniquity, forty years, and you shall know my displeasure.” 35 I the Lord have spoken; surely, I will do thus to all this wicked congregation gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall come to a full end, and there they shall die.( Num 13:34-35)

Human memory of God’s great deeds are short lived. God had been doing wonders for the people of Israel. The people were forgetting and going back to worship other gods and living in sin. They were complaining and dissatisfied with God. God in his anger punished them but promised the entrance to them into the promised land; where they would die. Many did perish in the wilderness in the forty years long sojourn in the wilderness. God was faithful and as he promised them, he reached them to the land that was promised to them. He protected them along the way in spite of their rebellion, hard heartedness, worshiping others Gods and going after other people. We need to learn and trust that our God is God of faithfulness and steadfastness.

Do we keep in our mind that our God is God of steadfastness and love?

Year Two

Jer 31:1-7

God’s Love is Everlasting.

God says, ‘I have loved you with everlasting love.’ God’s love for his people is everlasting. God comes to aid at all times. God’s love is not temporary. God’s love does not depend upon our good and bad actions. God does not change. God is constant. God is not like human beings fickle-minded. God is not like a moody person who lives his/her life according to vims and fancies. God is constant and steady. God is in control of everything. God is not moved and disturbed by the evil ways of human persons.

He is like a shepherd who is ever on guard to take care. His love lasts from age to age. His love cannot be described. He looks for the overall good of the person. God trusts in human goodness and their return to him. He waits for them patiently. He gives them freedom and the God-given freedom will make the humans utilize it well. It takes time and means to overcome hardships. The Lord’s love is everlasting and gains the humans instead of losing them.

Do we trust in the lasting love of God?

Mt 15:21-28   

The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”  “Yes, it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment. (Mt 15:25-28).

Jesus compares the woman to a dog. A very humiliating attitude of Jesus. Dog is said to be a mean animal.  Of course, today in west and in the cities of India many people grow dogs. They are well cared for and they have expensive pet shops. We know that dogs are faithful animals.

 We do not know the context from which Jesus is speaking at that time; but Jesus affirms her faith. It is her faith in Jesus that made her daughter be healed. We know that we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ. When we say faith in Jesus Christ; it is complete trust in God. Faith in God, faith in the Word of God and faith in the Church as an instrument that saves us.

Did I experience the test of my faith?

Dan 7:9-10,13-14

God is depicted as an elderly man with long and white hair. The elderly are known for wisdom, kindness, understanding and goodness. The elderly know everything about life and the way the season goes. They have wisdom of life and life has taught them many things. God is an elderly person who cares for humanity. God is like a king who has authority. A king sits on the majestic chair and the chair has powers, the chair on which God sits is depicted with fire all around.

Fire burns and gives light only God can exit and face the fire. God is light and he radiates light to the world. Humans live in the dark because they are slaves to sin and the devil. The light of God shuns the darkness and brings life and light into the lives of people. God brings to mind the ancient days. Son man will come on a cloud of heaven. “He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom will never be destroyed (Dan 7:14).”

Are aware that we are beloved of the Lord? Do we listen to Jesus speaking to us?

Do we keep in mind the wonder of God in our lives?

Transfiguration of Our Lord (Feast)

Fr Putti Anthaiah sdb