When someone repeats something, usually the person wants to draw attention to what he/she says.
The same thing could apply to the Scripture texts offered to our reflection.
On this Sunday, the 1st reading (Isaiah 55:6-9) and the Psalm (Ps.145:2-3,8-9,17-18), both texts repeat something meant to draw our attention.
“Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near” (1st reading).
“The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth” (Psalm).
If a survey was made and a group of people were asked the first quality they would ascribe to God,
I wonder how many would say that GOD IS NEAR…
When thinking about God, many people, most people perhaps, would remember his greatness and his power.
Some may add his wisdom, a few more could mention his mercy.
But his nearness?… His close presence?…
Could it be that many Christians have yet to understand the true meaning of… the Incarnation?
God becoming a human being!
This was the extraordinary attempt of God to be near to us!
So near as to become one of us!…
Extraordinary is even too weak and too poor a word to describe this reality –
because it is REAL and true, and this is something permanent, it will not change.
The apostle James writing to the first Christians was telling them:
“Draw near to God and he will draw near to you” (James 4:8).
But could we not turn the words around and tell ourselves:
God is near to me, why would I not get near to him?…
Something worth reflecting about…
Note: Another text is available on a different theme, in French, at: https://image-i-nations.com/25e-dimanche-de-lannee-a-2023/
Source: Images: The Bottom of a Bottle Bible Hub