Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
† Sunday 10th September 2000

Cycle of Prayer: Racial Justice Day

Theme: Courage! Your God is with you.

First reading from the Prophet Isaiah 35: 4 - 7
After the invasion of Jerusalem, the defeated inhabitants were led away to slavery in Babylon. As was the custom following the sack of a city, many of their leaders had their eyes put out. Thus when the prophet proclaims, “Courage! Do not be afraid. Look, your God is coming...coming to save you... Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened.” These long suffering exiles will be the first to see their salvation coming, for their eyes will be opened. The prophet is giving encouragement to all people who suffer affliction, hardship and despair. “Do not be afraid...God is coming to save you.”

Second reading from the Letter of James 2: 1 - 5
We should understand that the example given in this text, of the two people, one dressed in shabby clothes, and one beautifully attired, and wearing a gold ring, presupposes that these two visitors, are unknown to the local community. The difference in the way they are treated arises only because of their outward appearance, and apparent wealth shown by the way in which they are dressed. What a challenge to Christians even today! James condemns the double standards at work when we allow superficial prejudices to rule our actions. The Apostle reminds us that, “it was those who are poor according to the world that God chose to be rich in faith and to be the heirs of the Kingdom.”

Gospel according to Mark 7: 31 -3 7
The evangelist packs in a number of ‘messages’ in this text. Some commentators see in the roundabout route taken on this journey by Jesus,evidence that he was already reaching out to the gentile, non-Jew people with the teaching of the Kingdom. The selection of the “deaf man who had an impediment in his speech” for a demonstration of the healing power of God, may underline the message in Isaiah, “then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, the ears of the deaf unsealed.” For these are signs of the mercy of God and the coming of the Kingdom. The fact that the ‘deaf man’ is instructed not to speak about the healing, may serve to point us to the fact that Jesus is not yet ready to fully reveal himself. But you try to telling someone who has a terrible stammer, and is then healed instantly, not to speak! I have always felt that the evangelist, or even Jesus himself may have said this with a wry smile. Knowing only too well that the good news would travel, far and wide as the healed man ran to tell his family and friends of his good fortune. The evangelist Mark might have us be as enthusiastic in sharing the Gospel with those we meet today!

© Peter Harrison 2000