God’s Love.
Isaiah 30:19–21, 23–26; Psalm 147; Matthew 9:35–38, 10:1, 5-8
Isaiah speaks about the pathetic and tragic nature of life alongside God’s generous love for his people. A pathetic situation is one that incites sadness. But then, in the pathetic situation of Job, God assured Job of his love, wisdom, and power. Eventually Job was delivered—Job knew the voice of God.
Isaiah says that in the face of life’s miserability, when we are tossed from all conners and confused whether to turn to the left or the right, we shall hear the voice of God saying, “This is the way; walk in it” (Is. 31:21). God’s voice is real, but the task lies in discerning his voice. If we can discern God’s voice, we will find peace and consolation. True missionaries must learn to discern God’s voice and gain direction.
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Let us follow him. In the gospel, he taught and preached in towns and villages. He had compassion for them and cared for them, so he charged his disciples with the mandate to preach. We too need to preach God’s generous love and relate his compassion to humanity. In Luke 6:36, he urges us to “be compassionate as your heavenly Father is compassionate.” There are souls to rescue, and there are souls to save. Christmas is meaningful when we are able to touch the lives of others positively.
Let us pray.
Stir up your power, we pray, O Lord, and come, that with you to protect us, we may find rescue from the pressing dangers of our sins, and with you to set us free, we may be found worthy of salvation. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever? Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
