Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish

FR MICHAEL BIBLICAL IMAGERY

(Fr Michael Boakye Yeboah: Vice Rector of St Gregory Seminary, Kumasi-Ghana)

DIVINE ROMANCE

            In all avenues of life that human nurturing is at play, there is more advocacy for flexibility. Some years ago, parents, teachers, priests and all other agents of child formation thought that the best way to nurture a child is through rigid and a strictly disciplined set of rules. This methodology helped to some extent but it also broke down the psychological spines of many children. Many children grew up with hatred in their hearts for their parents, teachers, and priests. Many children were in a hurry to leave home once they turned 18 because their homes were barracks and to some extent hellish.

            Thanks to the advancement of psychology, many have come to accept and believe that a blend of discipline and flexibility is the best way to guide and form a child. I give this introduction because of the first reading given to us for our reflection. Isaiah gives us a beautiful image of a kind and romantic God. Isaiah is known for his tough prophecies on Israel but in today’s text he changes the language from “punishment and doom” to God’s kindness and soft-heartedness for Jerusalem. The inspired writer chose his words very well and the words sound so warm to the heart. The prophet said: “Thus says the Lord: Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her, all you who love her; exult, exult with her, all you who were mourning over her! Oh, that you may suck fully of the milk of her comfort, that you may nurse with delight at her abundant breasts! For thus says the Lord: Lo, I will spread prosperity over Jerusalem like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing torrent. As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms, and fondled in her lap…”

            All care givers and agents of formation are encouraged to take the place of God and give this “divine romance” to those who need them. At times in life, we may be too aware of the bad issues of some people but when they are down or are experiencing the end bad effects of their choices in life, that will not be the time for us to tell them to their faces of the rejected counsels and pieces of advice that were given to them. When people are down, they don’t need our harsh words; they need sweet and romantic consoling words.

            There are a lot of people who are suffering in homes, convents, schools, institutions of work and other places of human engagement. At times what some people need is just a consoling words of kindness or just a kind and listening ear. A hug to a friend in pain can be the best medicine of the person’s sufferings. Many years ago, as a young priest, I experienced a situation I will never forget. I was coming from my third Mass on a Sunday. These were Masses that I drove on dusty roads for many kilometres. When I finally finished my last one, I was just tired so driving home, I had three things in mind: to take my bath, eat, and sleep. Once I got to the rectory gate, there was a man standing there and looking at his appearance I concluded that this may be one of the usual Sunday beggars with the same story of “no food for family and one of the children is sick.” Before, he uttered a word, I had money in hand ready to give him but he said ‘please Father, I don’t need money.’ When he said that, I replied by saying ‘whatever you need, today is not the day, I am tired.’ But as he turned and was about to leave, something just came to me that I should hear what was troubling him. In the end, I listen to this person for one hour but by just giving hearing to him saved his life. Dear friends there are a lot of people suffering and so if you can be helpful please do offer help. It is not everyone who come to us begging for money.

            In today’s Gospel reading we are told, the seventy-two returned happy because they saw Satan fall from the sky but we should return to Jesus in a happy mode because we were able to console a suffering brother or sister. Please be kind in your words and offer a hug if you can to a suffering brother, sister or a friend. OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP, PRAY FOR US.