Theme: God has sent us with purpose. Have we achieved it?
Scriptures: Is. 55:10-11; Ps. 34; Mt. 6:7-15
In the book of Isaiah, all the previous chapters have a tone of admonishment but when it comes to chapters 54 and 55, the language is changed to that of concern and care. The entire chapter of 55 is a reminder of reversal of blessings. The symbolism of water in the previous chapter was destructive such as Noah’s flood but here the water cycle is used to show the effectiveness of the Word of God. The Word of God does not return to God without fulfilling the purpose. The water helps to achieve dual purpose; to give seeds so that we can reproduce and it also gives bread to the hungry. God promises that His Word accomplishes the purpose and succeed in the things for which He send it.
John in his Gospel tells us that the Word of God is Jesus Christ himself. (Jn. 1) He came down from heaven with a purpose to build the kingdom of His father on earth. Jesus also fulfilled the dual plan of God. Firstly, He sowed seeds of God’s love in our hearts. He taught us to love His father. He taught us to pray to Our Father. Every petition in the Lord’s prayer was a revelation of truths that sum up the entire teachings of Christ. First it teaches us to call God, Our Father. No one before Christ called God by this personal name. There was an invitation to enter into personal relationship with God. Jesus taught us to complete the purpose in our lives i.e. to do the will of God on earth. He taught us to be completely dependent on God for the bread as well as for the forgiveness. Secondly, He became bread for us. He took bread during the last supper and said, take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my body which is given for you. At every Eucharistic celebration we are nourished with His Body.
This is quite interesting to note that the promises of God in words of Prophet Isaiah are fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Word of God that came down with a purpose. He has returned to God after fulfilling His mission. The season of Lent is a beautiful time to reflect on our lives too. We are also sent on earth with purpose. In the sacrament of Baptism, we are made sons and daughters of God. We have entered into personal relationship with God. Jesus the Word sowed seeds of His Gospels in our hearts and became the bread of our lives at every Eucharist. He has called us to be the same. He also made us aware that we are called to sow the seeds of His Gospel and become bread for others. In other words, die for others. Jesus enfolded God’s marvelous plan for us. Have we achieved it in our lives? May this season of Lent give us grace to fulfill the purpose of God in our lives.
