23rd Week in Ordinary Time (B) : Sunday 8th September 2024

The need for all creation to be healed and regenerated is made clear by Prophet Isaiah. His prophecy is a vision where all conflicting elements of earth and of living things are reconciled to be at their proper place. This profound vision prefigures a transformation of human and beast alike. Isaiah assures the people, whose hearts are frightened, that the God of salvation will come to save them. Where God cures man of his ailments, He too brings new life to various parts of the Earth and transforms what was previously unable to sustain life into something that is now life-giving. He changes burning sands to pools and brings forth springs of water from the thirsty ground.

But more than these regeneration of natural sources of water, the tremendous privilege for us is to know and taste the true living water, Jesus Christ. We are able to approach Him to ask for healing in a spirit of openness and trust. Like the people of Decapolis, we can walk in their footsteps without fear,  bringing the deaf and mute man to Him to be healed. This significant event has been incorporated in the baptism rite for infants, where a prayer is said over them, “may the Lord Jesus who made the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak, let you soon hear His words and profess your faith.”  Our amazement that the Lord has done all things well is unceasing.

Lord, regenerate our zeal for Your kingdom without fear!