Memory of the Saints and the Prophets

Muslims start the month of Ramadan.

Reading of the Word of God

Praise to you, o Lord, King of eternal glory

You are a chosen race,
a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
a people acquired by God
to proclaim his marvellous works.

Praise to you, o Lord, King of eternal glory

Isaiah 49,8-15

Thus says Yahweh: At the time of my favour I have answered you, on the day of salvation I have helped you. I have formed you and have appointed you to be the covenant for a people, to restore the land, to return ravaged properties, to say to prisoners, 'Come out,' to those who are in darkness, 'Show yourselves.' Along the roadway they will graze, and any bare height will be their pasture. They will never hunger or thirst, scorching wind and sun will never plague them; for he who pities them will lead them, will guide them to springs of water. I shall turn all my mountains into a road and my highways will be raised aloft. Look! Here they come from far away, look, these from the north and the west, those from the land of Sinim. Shout for joy, you heavens; earth, exult! Mountains, break into joyful cries! For Yahweh has consoled his people, is taking pity on his afflicted ones. Zion was saying, 'Yahweh has abandoned me, the Lord has forgotten me.' Can a woman forget her baby at the breast, feel no pity for the child she has borne? Even if these were to forget, I shall not forget you.

 

Praise to you, o Lord, King of eternal glory

You will be holy,
because I am holy, thus says the Lord.

Praise to you, o Lord, King of eternal glory

Immediately after the second song of the servant of God (Is 49:1-6), the book of Isaiah describes the return of Israel to their homeland and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. It is a proclamation of joy and hope that involves the entire creation. All humankind, the heavens, the earth and the mountains are invited to rejoice together because the Lord has not grown weary of his people, he has not forsaken them, even though they have strayed from him. His love is steadfast, everlasting and strong. And it is the Lord himself who draws near again and reminds him: "In the time of kindness I answered you" (v. 8). We can say that the 'time of kindness' is the entire history of Israel. After a period of purification and exile, the Lord is willing to make the land 'rise again,' to gather again the dispersed children of Israel; he approaches his people not as a majestic and implacable judge, but as the one who has mercy, as a tender mother who cares for her children and is moved by them. It is a love so high and extraordinary that it can be compared to motherly love: "Can a woman forget her nursing-child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you" (v. 15). How can we not be moved by a God so ready to mingle with our history even of sin? And if that were not enough, he wanted to go even further with the incarnation of his own Son. And the Apostle Paul goes as far as to write: "Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person-though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us" (Rom 5:7-8). And we will contemplate him before long, as he goes to die for us on the cross.