ALL SAINTS MARGARET STREET

5th FEBRUARY – THE FOURTH SUNDAY BEFORE LENT

Fr Ivan Aquilina

Let us accept the invitation of the prophet Isaiah in our first reading: “Lift up your eyes on high and see!”

Our context is this great city of London. We step outside and see a fast moving world. Those who slow down fall by the wayside, sometimes literally. Those who conform to the present order climb up the social ladder and become more influential and more economically viable. Those who speak loudest catch more attention, and whatever they have to sell, 9 times out of 10, depends on the packaging. Appearances count and who you know and mix with matters. Thankfully we are open minded and generally accepting of every ethnic background. We also respect all different points of view and see this as enriching the already rich tapestry of life, though some dilute their own principles in order to accommodate those of others. The city we live in is wonderful, opportunities are available to all who try hard, but it can also be a scary and lonely place. Alas, it is a breeding ground for organised crime. It is a place of a million attractions, a city we love most of the time but from time to time we hate. Whatever our situation, London is our context, for some good reason God has planted us here. It is very easy to get absorbed in the fine detail of this our way of life. How easy it is to fall in the footnotes of our city life and loose sight of the bigger picture. Isaiah invites us to look beyond the limitations of our perceived horizons. “Lift up your eyes on high and see!”

We are called by Isaiah to realise that compared to the created order this world city is a mere speck. To realise also that our existence is not to dance to the music set by the pace of life in this city but only to the symphony of all creation. Yes, this is what Isaiah asks us, to put things in perspective. “Lift up your eyes on high and see!”

What do we see when we lift up our eyes on high?

We are called to lift up our eyes and see God who is Creator and behold a creation that is not a result of chance and probability but a direct result of a loving God, of a God who is Love; Love that creates and nourishes and cherishes its own creation. Such Love captivates us and fills us with hope and happiness, we are cherished and loved, and we matter so much to the source of all creation. We matter to Him so much that to call us back on the right track, after making a mess of His creation, He has sent His only begotten Son, the God from God, the Light from Light and why not – the Love from Love. This is what we are called to see when we lift up our eyes on high. We are offered a glimpse of what is behind the horizon.

“Lift up your eyes on high and see!”

What do we see when we lift up our eyes on high?

We see Jesus making the eternal and unquenchable love ever more present and tangible; we see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. In today’s gospel we are given a clear picture of how Jesus shares this love. Jesus heals. Jesus fights and destroys evil. Jesus works while avoiding popularity. Above all Jesus prays.

Jesus heals silently; he is interested in those who society thinks have not much more to give. In this creation every one matters, every one deserves attention, care and love. It also means a responsibility on our part not to abuse the care and love that we receive. It means that we are to engage in ways of bringing care and healing to those who need it. As we give thanks for Christian doctors and medical staff we also have a part to play by our support both materially and in prayer.

Jesus fights and destroys evil. The innate pull towards what is wrong is the greatest result of Original Sin. By loving submission to God and fasting we are to win over the glittering attraction of evil and engage in the building of that kingdom of Justice, Mercy, Peace and Love.

Jesus works with all while avoiding popularity. Seeking popularity is one of the least confessed sins. While rejoicing in affirming others and being affirmed we are to remember that we are not called to be popular but faithful. This faithfulness only grows in the context of humility.

Finally Jesus prays. If Jesus gave such importance to prayer, what about us? How unfortunate it is that sometimes we think that prayer is only for Sunday. How far from reality this is! Prayer is our lifeline. Prayer is for us what water is for a plant. We need to run to the school of Prayer and live all the joys that derive from there whilst being careful that we do not use prayer as a time to run away from reality.

The glorious St Paul understood that his Christian calling is to engage with the work that Jesus did. This was the only reasonable way for him to take when on the way to Damascus he was courageous enough to lift up his eyes on high and see. If we lift up our eyes and really see we understand that the only way for us, the only way to bring about sense, happiness and redemption to our life is to continue the work of the Gospel. The ministry of Jesus as healer, builder of the kingdom, humble and prayerful is the work of the Gospel, it now becomes our work also.

If we lift up our eyes on high and see than we come to the same conclusion of Paul and with him we say: “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” This is our way forward, it is the only way.