Reading I: Isaiah 35:1-10
Resp. Psalm: Psalm 85:9-10.11-12.13-14
Gospel Reading: Luke 5:17-26

 
Isaiah 35:1-10 is an oracle about the New Exodus.  First the desert in jubilation is presented bedecked with trees and flowers. The amazing sight however …

 
Isaiah 52:13-53:121 is the last of the Servant Songs. In Isaiah 42:1-4, Yahweh presents him as "my servant… my chosen" who will bring justice to the nations. In Isaiah 49:1-6, the servant introduces himself …

The Lenten liturgy for Holy Week proposes for meditation the figure of the Servant of Yahweh, an OT character that appears in Isaiah’s Book of Consolation (Isaiah 40-55).  The relevant passages as defined by …

Reading I: Is 29:17-24
Resp. Psalm: Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14
Gospel Reading:  Mt 9:27-31

Psalm 27 is said to be "Of David" and perhaps was one of the psalms he used to sing for …

Reading I: Isaiah 26:1-6
Resp. Psalm: Ps 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a
Gospel Reading: Mt 7:21, 24-27

A city in ruins especially when it has recently fallen is not an edifying site.  The selection from …

Reading I: Isaiah 25:6-10
Resp. Psalm: Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
Gospel Reading:Matthew 15:29-37

The Messianic banquet is a banquet of life.  Isaiah’s vision of the banquet of the Lord served on the mountain, …

Reading I: Isaiah 11:1-10
Resp. Psalm: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
Gospel Reading: Luke 10:21-24

The vision probably should be dated during the exile or at its beginning.  One of the last things the kingdom of Judah …

Reading I: Isaiah 2:1-5
Resp. Psalm: Psalm 122:1-9
Gospel Reading: Matthew 8:5-11

Isaiah’s vision of Yahweh’s mountain becoming the center of the world was probably triggered by a natural scene like the one above:  the sunrise hitting …

Reading I: Ephesians 3:2-12
Resp. Psalm:  Isaiah 12:2-3,4.5-6
Gospel Reading:  Luke 12:39-48

Isaiah 12 is the cry of thanksgiving for the day of the Messiah prophesied in Isaiah 11.  The root of Jesse whose growth will usher …