You are invited to step away from the crowd.
The messages on this 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time are ones of hope,
courage, and divine intervention. In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah offers a
powerful exhortation: “Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear
not! Here is your God; he comes with vindication; with divine recompense, he
comes to save you.” This message speaks directly to the human condition,
characterized by fear and uncertainty. In a world filled with challenges such as
illness, financial struggles, and relationship issues, the reassurance that God is
present and actively working for our salvation is a source of immense comfort.
Isaiah’s words remind us that fear is a natural part of the human experience. Yet,
the call to “be strong” and “fear not” is not merely about human resilience but
about trusting in God’s presence and power. The promise of divine recompense
is the reward from God for our faith and perseverance. He comes to save, heal,
and restore what is broken.
In the Gospel reading, we witness divine intervention when Jesus takes a
man who is deaf and mute away from the crowd and heals him. This intimate
encounter underscores the personal nature of God’s care for each of us and his
profound attention to our unique burdens and needs. We are not just part of a
crowd; but individuals worthy of His time and love. Taking the deaf man away
from the crowd symbolizes the importance of a personal relationship with God. In
our busy and often chaotic lives, Jesus invites us to step away to be with Him in
a space where healing and transformation can occur.
Moreover, Jesus’ actions demonstrate His desire to relieve our burdens. He
waits patiently for us, ready to lift the weights we carry if we allow Him. This
requires a willingness to acknowledge our limitations and to trust in His mercy
and strength. The healing of the deaf man is a metaphor for the spiritual healing
Jesus offers to all who come to Him. Just as the deaf man’s ears were opened to
hear the truth of God’s love and his speech restored to proclaim that love, so too
can our hearts be opened to God’s love and our lives transformed by His grace.
Dear brothers and sisters, this Sunday’s readings encourage us to examine
our fears and burdens. Are we trying to carry them alone, or are we willing to
bring them to Jesus? The assurance that God comes with vindication and divine
recompense is a powerful challenge to live in hope and faith, even in the face of
fear. God is with us, ready to save and heal. We are invited to step away from
the crowd, to encounter Jesus personally, and to allow His transformative love to
work in our lives. In doing so, we find strength, courage, and peace that only He
can provide.
Fr. Dominic Toan Tran, Pastor