Prayer for the sick
The prayer for the sick is held in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere.
Today the Byzantine Church venerates Saint Sabbas (+532), "the Archimandrite of all the hermits of Palestine."
Reading of the Word of God
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
This is the Gospel of the poor,
liberation for the imprisoned,
sight for the blind,
freedom for the oppressed.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Isaiah 35,1-10
Let the desert and the dry lands be glad, let the wasteland rejoice and bloom; like the asphodel, let it burst into flower, let it rejoice and sing for joy. The glory of Lebanon is bestowed on it, the splendour of Carmel and Sharon; then they will see the glory of Yahweh, the splendour of our God. Strengthen all weary hands, steady all trembling knees and say to the faint-hearted, 'Be strong! Do not be afraid. Here is your God, vengeance is coming, divine retribution; he is coming to save you.' Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, the ears of the deaf unsealed, then the lame will leap like a deer and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy; for water will gush in the desert and streams in the wastelands, the parched ground will become a marsh and the thirsty land springs of water; the lairs where the jackals used to live will become plots of reed and papyrus. And through it will run a road for them and a highway which will be called the Sacred Way; the unclean will not be allowed to use it; He will be the one to use this road, the fool will not stray along it. No lion will be there, no ferocious beast set foot on it, nothing of the sort be found; it will be used by the redeemed. For those whom Yahweh has ransomed will return, they will come to Zion shouting for joy, their heads crowned with joy unending; rejoicing and gladness will escort them and sorrow and sighing will take flight.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
The Son of Man came to serve,
whoever wants to be great
should become servant of all.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Chapter 35 of the book of Isaiah concludes with a song of joy. There is an immediate question: is it possible to rejoice in a difficult time? Isn't it easier to give up as our hands have weakened, our knees are feeble, and our hearts are "fearful"? The Lord does not leave his people alone; he does not want that the upheavals that occurred lead them to resignation. The Word of the prophet invites people to hope: Go dis working and will lead His people to salvation. Certainly not everything is in our hands, but we can help make the world better by listening to the Lord and believing in the transforming power of His word. If we welcome it, it changes history: "Say to those who are of a fearful heart, 'Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God." His Word transforms people and history: "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..." How can we not entrust ourselves to God's promise in this difficult time, when evil seems to prevail, leaving us without hope or answers? If we have lost our way following ourselves, if we have given room to the violence of war and injustice, if we have given in to resignation and we only complain and even accusing others, today, the prophet says is the time to change our minds and trust the power of God who is at our side and guides us with powerful hand.