Just imagine for a minute that you entered a synagogue some two thousand plus years ago and heard this passage about the coming Messiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” Now imagine hearing the reader say: “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” We cannot underestimate the power of those words. The people there have been waiting for the arrival of the Messiah and now they hear ‘wait no longer, I AM here’!
Some may remember the 1977 American comedy film Oh, God! starring George Burns and John Denver, which was based on the 1971 novel by Avery Corman. In the movie, God picks an unlikely messenger to be His modern-day prophet. The story unfolds with theologians, televangelists, and scores of people greeting his message with skepticism. This skepticism leads to a courtroom drama in which the modern-day prophet must prove whether God exists or not. In the midst of the drama, the courtroom doors open and God appears and wishes to be sworn in. He is then asked the question: “Is God real?” The answer was not He is; but rather, “I AM!” With that, He leaves the stand, walks a few steps and disappears. If you were in that courtroom, what would your reaction have been? Perhaps, it would be similar to many of those in the synagogue, either believing or skeptical
The reality of God’s statement “I AM” is just as relevant today as it was in the time of Jesus. Are we going to be believers or skeptics. Let us ask ourselves where we need to grow in faith and turn to God who was, is, and ever shall be.
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Fr. Wayne