A new heaven and a new earth

Today we hear how Isaiah announces that the Lord is creating a new heaven and a new earth in place of a sorrowful past. (Isaiah 65:17-21) His words remind me of a hymn that we often sang in Brazil. The portuguese words are very strong and say, ''A new day will come, a new heaven and a new earth. On that day all oppressed people will celebrate their freedom. The next verse describes the dreamed of equality and unity in these words. ''In the new earth, black and white, indigenous and all races will eat from the same plate.'' It is not just poetry because often in times of harsh oppression, communities worked together to cook a common pot where every needy person was invited to share. In this new time, women's right will be protected also. ''They will longer suffer humiliation or discrimination; women's work will be valued, and they will participate in all decisions.'' In the gospel from John 4:43-54, we see how Jesus is working for a new world. On his return to Galilee, he is not rejected as before but welcomed. His desire that all may have a healthy and dignified life is shown when he cures the son of a court official at a distance. John tells us that this is the second sign that Jesus gave of his reign on earth. Let us thank him for all those people who are working for peace, for health and dignity and an end to discrimination. We are called to add our drop to that ocean of compassion and love.