15th Week in Ordinary Time (B) : Thursday 18th July 2024

Isaiah 26:7-19 comes to us as a prayer from the heart of the prophet. He presents to us in a moving manner how God is shaping a people who long for Him.  As the prophet Isaiah speaks, we hear a godly desire within – to be upright, to follow God, and to do God’s Will. Though saddened by the people’s disobedience and misery, he knows in the end of their seeking, God will bless as He promised.

How do we feel when we hear Isaiah say, “at night my soul longs for You and my spirit in me seeks for You’’ (v 9)?  Do I feel encouraged in my seeking the Lord? What keeps us away from drawing nearer to God and to have a more vibrant relationship with God?

Jesus in the Gospel reading invites us “Come to Me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest’’ (Matthew 11:28). What burdens are we carrying?  How are we carrying them? If we feel “overburdened’’, why not go to Jesus, who is “gentle and humble of heart’’, and “learn’’ from Him? When we go to Jesus, He will guide us on how to live our life, not as a burden, but as a gift from God. When we live thus, we will indeed be authentic witnesses of the abundant life that Jesus has promised (John 10:10). And, it will draw others to follow Jesus!

Lord, may our souls be always seeking and waiting for You.