Maybe you’ve heard this saying, “It’s as good as done.” I have a friend who God has gifted
many material blessings, who often says, “It’s as good as
done.” He had such wealth and connections that he was sure of the
ability to accomplish what was needed in the life of the person in need. He would just declare it “done.” Once he made that statement, the only
thing left was to work out the details and accomplish the task. His words secured it in my mind and in the
mind of the person in need. Anxiety
disappeared and hope swelled in the heart of the person who heard my friend’s “It’s as good as done.”[1]
As the Lord sends Isaiah to meet Ahaz He encourages him to
remain tranquil and not to fear as he engages the warring camps. Telling him that, “Unless your faith is firm you shall not be firm!” (Is
7:9) This passage attests to the presence of the Divine in
the amidst of human history and highlights the importance of faith and trust in
God as foundational virtues linked to personal security amid life’s
uncertainties and unexpected struggles.[2]
God is saying, Trust Me Isaiah!
Jesus, in the Gospel, echoes a similar sentiment, as he decries
the lack of attentiveness among the people of three cities where he had lived,
taught, preached, healed, and worked other miracles. The inhabitants of these
three Jewish cities have their Scriptures and Jesus, who is the living Word of
God, yet they cannot accept him.[3] It’s a reminder of Sunday’s Gospel message (the
parable of the sower (Mt 13:1-23)) and Isaiah’s prophesy, “You shall indeed hear but not understand, you shall indeed look
but not see. Gross is the heart of this
people.” (Mt
13:14-15) It is as
if Jesus is asking, why don’t you trust me?
The Church memorializes holy people whose faith and trust in
God surpasses the human norm. Today is
the memorial of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, who, perhaps, could have been invoked
during the COVID-19 crisis. At the age
four, she survived the great “pandemic” of her time, smallpox, only to suffer loss, isolation, persecution, and servitude,
especially after her Baptism at age 19. She died at age 24; yet her short life
was marked by living constantly attuned to and trusting in Christ.
“Be attentive!” and Hopefully, our own time in exile for the
good of others (social distancing) has helped us pay attention to the will and Word
of God. When we face a fearful
circumstance, let your faith be firm. Trusting
in the Lord and acting in faith we will see the salvation of God become a
reality. What God commands He
completes.
“If today you hear [God’s] voice ...” (Ps 95:8) be firm in faith and trust that, “It’s as good as done!”
[1] For
Every Fear A Promise: A Plan to Prevail Over Fear by Dr. Brad Hicks © 2013.
[2] Weekday
HomilyHelps Exegesis of the First Reading by Dr. Carol Dempsey, OP.
[3]
Ibid. Homily Suggestion by Leota Roesch.
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