Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish

FR MICHAEL BIBLICAL IMAGERY

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

THE LORD IS HERE…

            In the eyes of the Lord, no case should be deemed unredeemable. In a world of “who you know”, at times it is very difficult to have a breakthrough and make it in life. For some people their lives have become stagnant simply because no one is there to hold their hands and move them to the next level. At times family and close relations even reject the person. Others have made little progress in life because of ill health or a disability. Such were the cases of two men presented to us in today’s first and Gospel readings respectively.

            In today’s first reading, the inspired writer narrates a heartwarming story of the humble beginnings of David. We are told that God deemed the house of Jesse worthy for the choice of the next king of Israel. He instructed Samuel to fill his horn with oil and be on his way to anoint the new king of Israel. When Samuel arrived in Jesse’s house, he allowed human inclinations to dominate his selection. When he saw the first son Eliab he thought: “Surely the Lord’s anointed is here before me.” But the Lord said to Samuel: “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature.” I am tempted that there may be some people who are occupying some people’s positions and places in life because those who placed them there judged them by their appearances and lofty statures. You may be the last and the forgotten one in the wilderness like David but when the Lord declares that it is your time, the Lord will send Angels to fetch you to occupy your divinely reserved position. If the Lord declares that it is your time nobody can be anointed in your place; for the Lord made them to wait for David to arrive from the wilderness to be anointed. Do not live your life by human preferences but wait on the Lord till he selects you and anoints you. Let no one tell you that God has forgotten of you because you are hidden in a certain wilderness or forgotten place. Remember the famous song: “…He has the whole world in his hand…He has the whole world in his hand…” Wherever you are when the time is right God will send for you to be anointed. Be patient and wait

            The other story is equally inspiring. John tell us of a story of a man who was born blind. His predicament was so serious that people linked his disability to a sin his parents may have committed or that he himself committed. People in like situations were not given any chance of redemption. The parents of the man lost hope so also the man himself and his neighbours. We should always note that it is in hopeless cases that God shows his power of restoration. Jesus could have pronounced few words like Ephrathah – be opened -- and the man may have regained his sight but this time around Jesus employed an unusual method. The inspired writer tells us that he spat on the ground and made clay with his saliva, smeared the clay on the man’s eyes, and said to him: “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam…. So, he went and washed, and came back able to see.” What is Jesus using this unusual method to teach us? I would like to think that Jesus wants us to note that each person’s breakthrough will come in different ways but from one source. When he met the blind man Bartimaeus, he just commanded him to pick up his mat and walk, today, he had to mix saliva with clay for the man’s eyes to be restored. Jesus visits each person in a unique way Do not use other people’s cases to judge your own case. Wait on him for he will visit you in a unique way so that onlookers will be filled with wonder if they witness what God has done in your life.

            If you have not met Jesus do not think that your story has come to an end. Remember a book always comes with many chapters. You are aware of the chapters you are reading but there is a chapter that only God can read to you and he is about to read that chapter to you. Just be patient and do not give up on yourself for God has not given up on you.