Isaiah 35: 1-6a, 10
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly,
and rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weak hands,
and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
“Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God.
He will come with vengeance,
with terrible recompense.
He will come and save you.”
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then the lame shall leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert;
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return,
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
A Reason to Rejoice
We have every reason to exult and rejoice with joyful song!
We certainly live moments of sorrow and mourning, and it is important that we don’t overlook them. But we ought to acknowledge in hope that they will flee, and our Lord will take their place! The glory and splendor of our God is on his way! Jesus is about to make his dwelling among us, and will offer us what no one and nothing else can. Rejoice and be glad!
—Joe Ertle, SJ, is a Jesuit scholastic of the Midwest Province currently studying philosophy at the ITESO, a Jesuit university in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Prayer
Lord, today we ask for the grace to be like John the Baptist: to be one who preaches the good news of Jesus’ coming. Help us share this joy, and really believe in it too! Amen.
—Joe Ertle, SJ
Pray with the Pope
Pray with the monthly prayer intentions of the pope.