19 0707 14C

1st Reading Blurb

Isaiah is writing to the people who have been allowed to return to Jerusalem from Babylon after the exile. Because of lack of resources and the hostility of their neighbors, they were prevented, for a time, from rebuilding the walls of the city and the Temple of God. God comforts them and assures them that the wicked will not always triumph. The prophet is so sure of the future glory of God in Jerusalem that he invites not only the future blessed but also present mourners to rejoice NOW. God will be as a mother to His people and he will provide for them in abundance.

Notice, while we follow Jesus in using “Father” as the primary name that we assign to God, God can also be described as a mother to his people. God has revealed that men and women are equally created in the image of God—distinct, but always equal in dignity and in the hope for salvation. But God is in now way in the image and likeness of human beings. He is neither man nor woman. God is pure spirit and there is no place in God for the differentiations between men and women, but the perfections of both men and women are reflections of God’s magnificence and glory.

2nd Reading Blurb

In the letter to the Galatians, Paul speaks about the Israel of God. This is a reference to the whole Church—Jews and Gentiles who have embraced Jesus as their Messiah and Savior. All that matters now is to be a “new creation” transformed by baptism into a Son of God, being made one with Christ by the seal of the Holy Spirit. Circumcision or non-circumcision—keeping the Jewish law or not keeping it—just doesn’t matter anymore.

Homily

We all share in the priesthood of Jesus.