HouseWORD Reflection January 15, 2023

WORD

"The LORD said to me: You are my servant,

Israel, through whom I show my glory."

Isaiah 49:3

OBSERVE

The first-born of the Lord is the people of Israel. It is this nation that would be known as the "Chosen People of God."

It is through them the Lord revealed himself to the world through history. Abraham, the father of our faith, received God's call to go to the land that the Lord will show him. His grandson, Jacob would have the honor of being called as "Israel" whose sons became the fathers of the tribes.

The Lord is steadfast and faithful. Despite the sins of Israel, which he punished, but he never abandoned them.

When Israel fell wayward from the path of the Lord, God called them back just as like a shepherd tending his flock.

The ups and downs, as well as the faithfulness and faithlessness, of the People of Israel showed who God is.

It is through the history of this people that we have come to know how God relates to humankind.

RESPOND

Loving Father, you have revealed yourself through history.

The people of Israel have shown how you are a just but merciful God.

Awesome and frightening but also loving and merciful.

A lion who devours his enemies but also a mother-hen who tenderly gathers her chicks under her wings.

May we see you in our lives and recognize how you have protected us from evil.

Amen

DISCERN

Our Christian faith teaches us the ultimate manifestation of God is Jesus Christ.

As the Lord himself said that he who knows the Son knows the Father. The fullness of God's glory is revealed in Jesus.

And what is this glory?

The glory of a love that is ever steadfast and true. A love that is willing to sacrifice for the sake of the beloved. A love that will never languish in darkness but finds joy in the resurrection.

Indeed, while we are just starting the shorter Ordinary Times, our attention is now directed to that fullness of God's glory which will be revealed on the cross.

Our endeavors and efforts will always be difficult and arduous but these difficulties and sufferings will find its meaning in the Lord who revealed his glory through our lives.