Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle C

Isaiah 66:10-14c

“...the Lord’s power shall be known to his servants.” (Isaiah 66:14c)

When this message from Isaiah is delivered, the Israelites are living within the ruins of their once-beautiful city, Jerusalem. Its protective walls have fallen, and its very heart—the Temple—has been destroyed. They are trying to rebuild, while mournfully living amidst the remnants of its former beauty, strength, and comfort.

But God sees and declares beyond what they are able to see or imagine. Through Isaiah, He speaks a renewed vision of the city, and tells the people to rejoice, even now: “Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her… exalt with her, all you who were mourning over her!” (66:10). In this city of ruin, God will bring abundance. In this very place, they will find their comfort—it is here that the Lord Himself will comfort them as a mother comforts her child. 

The Israelites didn’t run away from their messy and broken situation; and we, too, are called to keep showing up in the messy areas of our own lives. For our God works through the messiness of human life. Where we see brokenness, his eyes discern a deeper reality, and his voice speaks new life; He calls us “good” and sets about the cleaning process. 

The maternal imagery of Isaiah conveys an important reality. I don’t often envision myself as a child before the Lord; I lean more towards being ready and willing to do his work—like the disciples who are sent out in today’s Gospel passage. In fact that was the prayer in my heart last week during Mass—that the Lord would give me the graces to do his work in all areas of my life. 

But the Lord responded to my prayer in an unexpected way: He gave me a clear image, allowing me to experience myself as a child who ran into his embrace the moment He appeared, seeing in his face only love and delight, and experiencing in his arms such comfort, safety, and warmth. I was held secure, in the embrace of his love. 

When we are small and vulnerable, like children; when we are walking amidst brokenness and mess, feeling inadequate—it is in these very places and postures that we will come to know the power of God’s love.