Isaiah 40:1-11
Matthew 18:12-14
Console my people, console them says the Lord. Isaiah 40:1. The consolation of Jerusalem is a consolation for all. The comfort obtained by one may often prove serviceable to another; a well may be dug by a pilgrim for himself but has proved quite as useful to others. The pilgrims dig the well, but, strange enough, it is filled from the top instead of the bottom. We use the means, but the blessing does not spring from the means. We dig a well, but heaven fills it with rain. The means are connected with the end, but they do not of themselves produce it. Then, the rain fills the pools, so that the wells become useful as reservoirs for the water; labor is not lost, but yet it does not supersede divine help.
However, we have Jesus as our consolation. The Good Shepherd, who is ever ready to sacrifice himself for our sake just to give us abundant graces. He is ready to search for and save the Lost. The Lord was Baptized, not to be cleansed Himself, but to cleanse the waters, so that those waters, cleansed by the flesh of Christ which knew no sin, might have the grace of Baptism.
Grace may well be compared to rain for its purity, for its refreshing and vivifying influence, for its coming alone from above, and for the sovereignty with which it is given or withheld.
May we obtain consolation from Him who is the giver of consolations. The Good Shepherd. May we have showers of blessing, and may the wells the Saints have dug up in sacrifice be filled with water!
Fr Joseph Osho
