25th Week in OT 2019 - Wednesday - The holy remnant

Yesterday, we heard from the book of Ezra, how the Jews, returned from Babylonian captivity, rejoiced at the reconstruction of the Temple. Those returning from exile began to keep the feasts of the Lord again, particularly the Passover, the celebration of their freedom from Egyptian slavery.

Well, some time later, a second wave of exiles return from Babylon, and we hear today Ezra lamenting over the fact that this new group does not have the same fervor for their faith as that first group did. Ezra falls to his knees and mourns for the sins of the people who have intermarried with the Babylonian pagans and have adopted their practices.

Ezra’s mission was to help these people return to God’s law, but he is overwhelmed at how resistant they are to returning to the faith, and he pleads God’s mercy on behalf of the people. He acknowledges that even though the people had abandoned God, God has not abandoned them.
He refers to that small group of faithful Jews, as a holy remnant—a small group who remains faithful even when the rest turn away from the Lord.

Yesterday, I spoke of how in many places in the west, America, and Europe, the Church appears to be a lot like the crumbling Jerusalem Temple. We are well aware of the great number of Christians who have intermarried with the world, and have abandoned the faith for the pagan ideals and practices which do not give supernatural life--bishops and priests and religious even who have forsaken the truth.

We recall then our holy vocation to be like that holy remnant, who keeps the faith, who pleads on behalf of those who do not pray, to restore our ruins.

The gates of hell shall not prevail against the Church because there will always be a holy remnant who trust in the power and authority of Jesus Christ to proclaim the Kingdom of God and heal the sick, as we heard in the Gospel today, who carry out the Gospel mission in humility, even in the face of opposition from the world.

“Bless the Lord, you his chosen ones”, his holy remnant, forsake the ways of the world and recommit daily to the work of the Gospel, to Christ Our Lord, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the Pope, Bishop, and clergy may work to build up the Church according to the precepts of God’s Holy Word.

For the purification of Holy Church from all error and heresy, especially among those who preach and teach, for the conversion of souls hardened to the truth of the Gospel.

That the fire of the Holy Spirit may be evident in all members of the Church, and in this parish community.

For mercy and peace for all those who suffer: for the sick and diseased, for those undergoing surgery this week, for the destitute and despairing, for all victims of war, violence, and abuse, and for those who will die today and the consolation of their families.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, and for N., for whom this mass is offered.

O God, who know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.