Mystery of God

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:

Isaiah 45:1,4-6
Psalm 96:1,3-5,7-10
1 Thessalonians 1:1-5
Matthew 22:15-21


A reflection on today's Scripture:

What is really marvelous about Sunday's reading from Isaiah is the person to whom it is addressed. It says that the Lord speaks to Cyrus, not merely His servant, but His anointed. Cyrus was not a Jew, he was not one of the chosen people, and yet he was the Lord's anointed.

Cyrus was, in a way, the instrument of deliverance for Israel. The Lord used a pagan, armed an army that "knew him not." God was able to use someone who did not know Him in the same way as He could use His own people.

That is the mystery of God.

Though sometimes we resist Him, sometimes actively battle against Him, nevertheless He uses us. Sometimes we speak words and do things that exhibit the power of God despite ourselves. Think then what power we release, what a witness we are when we do cooperate.

God could use someone who did not know Him to conquer much of the known world and to free His people. Think today of what He could do with our cooperation. There is a whole world to be converted, and through cooperation with the power of God one person can do an whole lot of good!

- JuandelaCruz, TOC