Thursday, December 10, 2015

O MAGGOT ISRAEL O WORM JACOB

Isaiah 41:13-20; PS 145 The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness; Matthew 11:11-15

Here are the words of Isaiah for this morning meditation at Mass:
"I am the LORD your God who grasp your right hand; It is I who say to you, "Fear not, I will help you." Fear not, O worm Jacob, O maggot Israel; I will help you, says the LORD, your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel…"


Not quite sure of the O worm and O maggot are considered terms of endearment, however, they do convey a truth that is essential.  We can not do for ourselves.  The days of self-reliance are over.

If we like the nation of Israel are going to get our of this fix, this mess, then we need to look beyond ourselves and beyond our own contriving and figuring and planning.

We can no longer pull ourselves up by our bootstraps.

We need the hands of a another to grasp us and lead us forth. The entire passage of Isaiah 41 is directed to this reality.  Be no longer self reliant or self dependent.


How do we become less self-reliant in our life?  How can we continue to trust that we are in His grip as Isaiah points out so clearly?  We have a choice.  We can live in his grasp or we can continue to grasp at straw.



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