Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time-A
God does not make mistakes, and everything that emanates from him is providential. The first reading from the Prophet Isaiah is a beautiful, poetic passage. The ancient writer speaks for God and uses analogous language to represent God’s interaction with the world.
Isaiah identifies himself as the messenger by starting with these words. “Thus says the Lord.” He continues, “Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will.”
Through divine inspiration, Isaiah, unaware of God’s plan for humanity, spoke of what would come to pass in the fullness of time. In retrospect and living through the fullness of time, the words have a deeper meaning. Christians are aware that the greatest gift coming down from heaven is God’s only begotten Son. Conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, the Word of God became flesh.
Humanity was parched by a sinful world and found itself incapable of spiritual fertility or of producing holy fruit. The condition of human beings, instead of flourishing, was stymied by evil. All that was left was to wither and die. This was not the case at the beginning of time, when God’s word created a world for his creatures to multiply and live in his love. The life-giving world was rejected, and what originally came from heaven was misused and perverted.
God would not be dissuaded in his love by the stupidity of his people, and sent his Son to restore what was necessary in the order of grace for individuals to have the chance to become holy. Holiness is the foundation for being spiritually fertile and fruitful.
Inaugurating the Kingdom of God through Jesus’ teachings, He provided the model of life necessary for holiness. His passion and death are the life that came down from heaven to bring salvation to a world that was dead. Once he completed his mission, he returned to his Father, but first by instituting the Eucharist and sending us His Spirit. Jesus assures the continuation of graces coming down from heaven to water the world with holiness. The Word of God did not return void.
Another perspective of Isaiah’s prophecy can be applied to all of us. Just as rain and snow come down from the heavens, so too does God’s life come to us through his grace. Without it, our spiritual lives are impotent and have no chance to promote and produce good in the world. The grace of God enlivens our souls, giving them the necessary component to become fertile and fruitful in the truth.
When grace is accepted and used for spiritual growth, our existence in the world makes it better; moreover, we continue Jesus’ mission to bring life to a world headed for death. By working and living the mission of Jesus, which is the will of God, is returned to him in the way in which it was sent.
But what if grace coming down from heaven is not received? The same thing would happen if the Earth had a will not to accept the rain and snow. The plants and life will not grow but tend toward death. The water given for life will be returned to the heavens to be allotted again at some different time. What a shame that some people are so stubborn they prefer death over life.
Look to the heavens today and pray that the clouds of grace break open upon you, and thank Him for the life he has given you and the potential for unlimited fruitfulness.