We often hear from Isaiah during the holy season of Lent. Today’s short reading from Isaiah gives hope and encouragement to the people of Israel as they approach the end of their exile in Babylon. Its aim is to give them consolation, not to chastise them for their lack of faith. God expresses through the prophet that he has plans for the world, that his plan will not be stopped. His plans have the well-being of his creation in mind. I think of the God of love and mercy that Pope Francis often speaks about. Through poetic words, Isaiah describes how the aim of God’s world will be realized in a way similar to the gentle rain making the earth fertile for the seed to sprout and grow and bring us a bountiful harvest. But, we have to open to God’s word. We have to be open to studying it and learning from it. We have to make an effort in our life of fact, not just sitting there being complacent and waiting for something to happen. The holy season of Lent is like that as well. We need to be willing to engage our faith in this holy season, to come up with to plan, and to devote ourselves to our Lenten disciplines or prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. May we listen to this message from Isaiah today and actively engage in it.
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