Reflection on Sunday's readings

Our first reading for this weekend is from Isaiah. He had the God-given task to instill hope in a people who had been driven out of their homeland and were unable to practice their faith freely. Despite all the hardships they were suffering, Isaiah’s task was to guide the people to remember and renew the relationship that God had established with them. They were to listen to God as God promised that they would one day be sharing in an abundance of all things good. As we deal with the effects of COVID-19, a sinking economy, and racial tensions, we pray that we likewise listen to God with the firm conviction that God will see us through all the challenges of our day. As we listen, we allow God’s loving presence to lead us to the fullness of life that God offers for no other reason than that is who God is.