Tuesday of the 15th week in the ordinary time
Theme: Our allegiance
The 1st reading from the prophet Isaiah, presents to us a concrete human situation. It is such that the king has to choose whether to obey the voice of God and trust in him or not. It was a case of making a choice, whether to trust in God or to pay allegiance to Syria, lest they come for war. The king Ahaz was so scared that he did not listen to the voice of God through the prophet Isaiah, which says he should not be afraid but be calm. In the same way, we may find ourselves in situations similar to this, and we have to make a choice between God and the different voices presented to us by the people around us. My brothers and sisters in Christ, in such situations it is important that we listen to the voice of God, instead of going against it. Any attempt to go against the voice of God, will not end well; just like we will see in the case of Ahaz. No matter the situation we find ourselves in life, we must learn to trust in God and follow his path, because he will never lead us astray or desert us in our time of difficulty. Even when is as if there is no way forward or backward, just trust in Gods guidance and follow his direction. We can follow the direction of God from his word, our prayer, and through the words of his ministers.
In the gospel reading of today, we see the anger of God against his people who have refused to turn away from their sins and return back to God. He also uses the opportunity to admonish the people and encourage them to turn away from their sinful ways and return back to God. My brothers and sisters in Christ, in the same way Jesus is admonishing us today to turn away from our bad habits and return back to the right path that will lead us to eternal life. Dearly beloved in Christ, we serve a God who does not desire that we perish, but rather that we should retrace our steps and return back to the ways of God.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, never allow any situation you encounter to in life, make you lose your faith and trust in God, just like the king Ahaz did. There is nothing God cannot do for our good, that is why we must trust him at all times and be faithful in our relationship with him. It is our prayer today that God will grant us the grace to remain steadfast in faith, no matter the situation we find ourselves in life, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.