(Please read the Scripture passage before the homily.)
Today’s passage is from Isaiah, chapter 38, 1-8 and 1-22). The passage omits King Hezekiah’s song of praise to God, but uses parts of the hymn as a responsorial psalm. It also places verses 7-8 after verses 21-22 so that the passage flows better.
Wrist watches had not been invented back in the days of Isaiah. Instead, they used sundials. We are familiar with sundials. Most of ours have flat surfaces, but archaeologists have found one with steps, like a staircase, in Egypt, similar to the sundial mentioned in the reading.
The prophet applied a poultice to the sore and the King recovered his strength.
The Scriptures, however, do not mean to teach us about clocks and medicine. Rather, they teach us about God and ourselves. The God of sundials and medicine is the God who had made everything and given healing power to medicine and clockwork qualities to the universe. This is the God who hears prayers and who also takes an active part in our lives.
The Scriptures challenge us to see God at hand to us in ordinary things of life, such as light and shadows, plants and soil, and in all of nature. They also challenge us to let God be active in our lives in mysterious, hidden and quiet ways, as well as in the more spectacular ways.