Reflection on Is 51:12
“I, I am He who comforts you;
why then are you afraid of a mere mortal who must die,
a human being who fades like grass?”
The previous verse 11 reads: “And now they that are redeemed by the Lord shall return, and shall come into Sion (into the true Church) singing praises, and joy everlasting shall be upon their heads, they shall obtain joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” It is followed by this verse 12: “I, I am He who comforts you; why then are you afraid of a mere mortal who must die, a human being who fades like grass?” And the next verse 13 rebukes: “Have you forgotten the LORD who made you, who stretched out the heavens and laid the earth’s foundations? Why should you live in constant fear of the fury of those who oppress you, of those who are ready to destroy you? Their fury can no longer touch you.”
What should this Word of God, declared by the prophet Isaiah, which we want to repeat for two weeks, several times a day, remind us of? God says to you as well that He is your Comforter. If you are in pain, if you are afraid, you need encouragement, consolation. You need a good person, good advice. God sends such a person very often down your path. If you pray and hand your pain over to God, He will let you experience His consolation as you enter His presence, and before His face. You can experience it for yourself in your every suffering. Turning to alcohol or listening to a decadent music or any other escape is not a solution. It often even complicates your problem more and does not comfort you or point you to the right solution. Only God can offer you true comfort and a solution during an authentic prayer, namely in a conversation of your soul with God. God is Spirit, He hears a calling of your soul, just call to Him, turn to Him. Do not make excuses saying that God has not helped you, because the cause of it is with you. You have not really opened yourself up to Him, nor have you called to Him sincerely and have not given Him your problem. How do you expect the physician to heal you if you do not want him to tell you an accurate diagnosis? And you hide your illness. He is your physician, and He is also your healing. Then why are you afraid? The Word of God says: “Why then are you afraid of a mere mortal who must die, a human being who fades like grass?” Why are you afraid of people and do not count on God in your private and the innermost life? Turn to Him, trust Him!
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