8th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A
ISAIAH 49:14-15
But Zion says:
“Yahweh has forsaken me, my Lord has forgotten me.”
Can a woman forget her nursing child,
or show no compassion for the child of her womb?
Even if these were to forget, I will not forget you.
The prevailing opinion today is that this book was written by an anonymous prophet (who claims to follow in the tradition of Isaiah), around the year 539, when the Persian Cyrus conquered Babylon, bringing an end to the Chaldean empire. Cyrus adopted a policy of tolerance and allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.
These events are interpreted by the prophet: the deportation to Babylon and the destruction of Jerusalem are punishments from God for sins, the infidelity of Israel. But they are punishments so that Israel might repent and return to Him. The wrath of Yahweh against His people does not last, because He loves them. And here we find the text we read today, with its beautiful message: even if a mother were to forget her child, I will never forget you.
1 CORINTHIANS 4:1-5
This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself.
For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.
Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
This is a passage that must be understood within the context of this part of the letter, in which Paul reprimands them for many deficiencies in their church.
However, it is not entirely clear why the topic of judgment is introduced. Perhaps because some people, from a purely human wisdom (as seen in the previous paragraphs and read in the past Sundays), are making unfavorable judgments against Paul.
Paul appeals to the judgment of God and provides a universally valid criterion: what matters is not what men judge, but fidelity to Jesus.
José Enrique Galarreta, S.J.