Wednesday 2 July 2025
Genesis 21:5, 8-20. The Lord hears the cry of the poor – Ps 33(34):7-8, 10-13. Matthew 8:28-34.
God has heard
God heard the cry of Ishmael (literally ‘God hears’) and saved him, making his descendants into a nation like that of Isaac. This is a great starting point for interreligious dialogue in our world today. The tradition is that he was the ancestor of the Arabs and, eventually, the forefather of the prophet Muhammad in Islam. So there is a deep family connection between Jews, Muslims and Christians. However, most terribly, there can be misunderstanding, hatred and even violence between us. Surely all of this reaches God’s ears too. Instead, let us be beacons of harmony in this Jubilee Year. Let us open our ears as well – to hear the pain of the other and the beauty of their faith traditions. Then we might allow each person their place in God’s plan and inspire each other with hope.
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