Two themes run through this Sunday’s readings, the nature of God’s Kingdom and the need for our patience.
What God’s Kingdom is like is portrayed – the desert will bloom; the glories of the nations are presented to God’s people; and they will sing in joy. John the Baptist thought Jesus would bring this into reality, but it did not happen in the way John expected. So he sent a message to Jesus asking if he was the one awaited, the Messiah. Jesus’ response was to point out that he was fulfilling the healings promised by Isaiah as well as teaching. God would bring in his Kingdom in his own way. In other words, the patience that James urges is needed by all of us.
As stewards, our responsibility is to carry out our daily tasks, using our time, talent, and treasure for God’s service and that of his Church. Even though we don’t know when the Second Coming of Jesus will be, we know that Psalm 146 is right: “The Lord shall reign forever.”
