FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT - (cycle C) 1998

Isaiah 43:16-21
Psalm 126:1-2,2-3,4-5,6
Philippians 3:8-14
John 8:1-11

The prophet Isaiah describes the aspects of the Exodus in the present, saying that it is not a past event but a present reality. It is a sacramental moment; it is historically past, but ever-present in the religious consciousness Of the people. It should be. Through the prophet God is telling the people not to dwell on the past; liberation is an ongoing thing. That is the first part of the story. God is about to do something even greater: "I am about to do a new thing." Springs and rivers in the desert wasteland are wondrous things. The new event is a second exodus, the return from the long exile in Babylon. This is poetically portrayed as a giving of new life in which creation other than the people will experience; thus the water in the desert which the animals acknowledge. As was the case at the first Exodus from Egypt, God saves the people so that they may glorify him, announce his praise."

Psalm 126 proclaims God's wondrous work: "The Lord has done great things... we are glad indeed" (vs. 3). The reference in verse 1 is to the return from Babylon. God is blessed, praised, for his wonderful intervention. His people can once again laugh and rejoice (vs.- 2). A petition immediately follows: "Restore our fortunes" (vs. 4). This verse includes the restoration of the spiritual strength of the people, the nation, who would now once more know the presence of God which they sorely missed during the years in exile. The restoration or renewal of water, "torrents in the southern desert," (vs.4) is symbolic of spiritual renewal. The symbolism is beautiful. An abundance of water in the desert is always a welcome blessing. The tears of the past are turned to rejoicing (vs. 5 & 6).

A closing thought or reflection. "The God of Israel works in history as he bestows salvation in progressive activity" (H. J. Kraus). Times change as do the needs of people and so new interventions by God are necessary on behalf of his people. There are always new Petitions and hopefully there is always new and energetic effort and new praise of God from his people. If this was true for Israel, it is true for us, God's new people.