Monday 15 July 2024

Today is Monday 15 July, the feast of Saint Bonaventure, in the 15th week of Ordinary Time. Ladysmith Black Mambazo sing Ngaza Ngambona: ‘They are blessed who keep his commandments; they will have their eternal place. Come in, all of you, so that you may be happy and be able to say, I’ve seen him on the cross, the one who loves me. Teach me, Father, to love you, praise you and pray to you.’ (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 1:10-17 Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah! What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt-offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats. When you come to appear before me, who asked this from your hand? Trample my courts no more; bringing offerings is futile; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and sabbath and calling of convocation— I cannot endure solemn assemblies with iniquity. Your new moons and your appointed festivals my soul hates; they have become a burden to me, I am weary of bearing them. When you stretch out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. In this passage, the prophet Isaiah challenges his listeners about what is, and what is not, pleasing to God. The prophet prompts his audience to 'learn to do good' and to 'search for justice'. How does this speak to you today? “…learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” Can you think of any action or practice that you could do to reflect this in your own life? If something comes to mind, share this with Jesus as you would with a friend. As you listen to the passage again, reflect a little more on what is, and isn’t, pleasing to God. Searching for justice can start simply by remembering those who suffer. As this time of prayer comes to an end, take time now to reflect on your own relationships, thinking about someone you could help or support in the days ahead. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.