Then it gives some kind of security and sets some limits in society. It teaches how to live with my human beings or what God wants from me and so on.
The reading from the second Chronicles is not a new story that we hear. Then unfaithfulness to Yahweh was always there in the history of Israel. And it remains as wonder even the people of Israel were the chosen people of God. But the tragic side what we hear the unfaithfulness of the priests - the special chosen the special people of Israel! And it narrates the nature of the Humanity.
But we come across with the nature of God.
The Holy Bible often pictures the God-human relationship according to "loyalty" and "love." We have several instances in the Scripture where God compares the relationship to that of a married couple or to a close friendship.
We know both of them - partnership or friendship- obviously need the loyalty and love. And from the reading, we understand that it is lacking here by the Israelites now and then.
These people of God forget sometimes the loyalty and love of God towards them. They were once slaves in Egypt and now they are slaves to their selfish feelings. Unfortunately, this leads them to their own destruction.
The destruction of the temple is powerful a sign.
It means the entire "background" is destroyed.
They are no longer the children or chosen of God;
but slaves to others.
Amongst this bad news there is still a hope. That is the message of this "Laetare" Sunday. He says "Rejoice Jerusalem"...
In the Psalm 89: 31-33 we read this same:
"If his children forsake my law
and do not walk according to my ordinances,
if they violate my statutes
and do not keep my commandments,
then I will punish their transgression with the rod
and their iniquity with scourges;
but I will not remove from him my steadfast love,
or be false to my faithfulness.
I will not violate my covenant,
or alter the word that went forth from my lips."
Yes, God's loyalty to his people is unmovable and irresistible!
Is not it a wonderful promise to us?
Jesus tried the same promise alive in his life and his teachings.
He is the representative of God, who always pardon and forgive us,
Looking for our hearts ...
In the Gospel (Jn 3, 17), we hear about the love and faithfulness of God -
For God sent his only Son into the world -. Not to condemn but to save us
The reason for this unconditional forgiveness is the love of God to the world (Jn 3, 16). Yes, he loves the "world". And contrary to some thoughts, he is not against the world. Only some of its attitudes and philosophies are unfitting to him.
But that does not change his personality and his faithfulness to us!
So great is our God!
Yes, we have the reason to "Rejoice"...
Lent is the time
exactly to return to this loyalty and love of God;
to give him our love and loyalty back.
For God shows his indestructible faith in the world - to us.
It remains true and the same, even if we humans are not always so.
This is the message of Hope. This is the Good news; the "Evangelium".
The Goal of God is to raise us from slavery to freedom of the children of God! Let us make use of this time of grace properly.
Then it is not late! Let us hope in him. Let us find out the joy of the rejoice of God.
God bless us all! Amen.
Fr Thomas Kalathil
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