FIRST READING “Like an abandoned woman, the Lord calls you back” (Is 54, 1-10)

DECEMBER 15, 2022

 Thursday, 3rd Week of Advent —

of the Feria

FIRST READING 

“Like an abandoned woman, the Lord calls you back” (Is 54, 1-10)

Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

Cry for joy, barren woman,

you who have not given birth;

rejoice, burst into cries of joy,

you who have not known pain!

For the sons of the forsaken will be more

than the sons of the bride,

– says the Lord.

    Expand the space of your tent,

deploy the canvas of your home without hesitation,

lengthen your ropes, strengthen your stakes!

    For you will spread north and south.

Your descendants will dispossess the nations,

they will populate deserted cities.

    Do not be afraid,

you will know no more shame;

disregard outrages,

you will no longer have to blush,

you will forget the shame of your youth,

you will no longer remember the dishonor of your widowhood.

    For your husband is the One who made you,

his name is “The Lord of the universe”.

Your redeemer is the Saint of Israel,

he is called “God of all the earth”.

    Yes, like an abandoned, overwhelmed woman,

the Lord calls you back.

Do we reject the woman of our youth?

– says your God.

    For a short moment, I had abandoned you,

but in my great tenderness, I will bring you back.

    When my anger boiled over,

for a moment I hid my face from you.

But in my eternal fidelity,

I show you my tenderness,

– says the Lord, your Redeemer.

    I will do as in the days of Noah,

when I swore that the waters

would no longer overwhelm the earth:

so I swear never to be angry with you again,

nor to threaten you anymore.

    Even if the mountains parted,

if the hills shook,

my faithfulness would not depart from you,

my covenant of peace would not be shaken,

– says the Lord, who shows you his tenderness.

            – Word of the Lord.