God is with us

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Laetetur cor quarentium

The Monks of Pluscarden Abbey

Today is Thursday the 24th of September, the feast of Our Lady of Walsingham, in the 25th week of Ordinary Time.

The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing Laetetur cor quaerentium: Let the heart of those who seek the Lord rejoice; seek the Lord and be strengthened, seek his face always. Entering into prayer today, you too are seeking the Lord, seeking his face, looking for the signs of his presence in your life, gently guiding your in truth and peace and love.

3:46

Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah.

Isaiah 7:10-14

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. Then Isaiah said: ‘Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.

Take counsel together, but it shall be brought to naught;

speak a word, but it will not stand,

for God is with us.

5:15

The book of Isaiah views Ahaz as a bad king, betraying God and God’s people. So, when he refuses to ask for a sign, it’s not because he high-mindedly trusts God without one but because Ahaz won’t engage with God. Can you recall times when you simply found it too difficult to face God and all that God asks of you?

Isaiah proclaims that God will send a sign anyway, the sign of a young woman with her new-born child. It’s a sign, an image, with many resonances, in scripture and more widely. What does it conjure up in your own mind and heart?

The woman’s son is to be called “Immanuel” a name that we are told means, “God is with us”. What difference will it make to you today, the promise that God is with you now?

As you hear the passage again, listen to it as a message of encouragement. This is what Isaiah intended it to be. Despite his wrongdoing the king’s enemies will not ultimately triumph. And nor will anyone or anything that tries to separate you from God.

8:49

Isaiah 7:10-14

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. Then Isaiah said: ‘Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.

Take counsel together, but it shall be brought to naught;

speak a word, but it will not stand,

for God is with us.

10:06

Take time, before the prayer ends, to speak freely with God about this assurance that he is, and will always remain, God with you, God with us.

12:14

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen