God's promises

0:00

Cantique de Jean Racine

Corydon Singers

Today is Sunday the 25th of January, beginning the 3rd week of Ordinary Time.

The Corydon Singers, conducted by Matthew Best, sing Cantique de Jean Racine by Fauré, a hymn to the invincible power and utter goodness of God, whose fire lights up the darkness, whose grace overcomes all evil. As I enter into prayer today, I trust myself to that grace, to that powerful goodness. I place myself in the hands of my loving God.

(Lyrics currently unavailable)

3:18

Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah.

Isaiah 8:23-9:3

But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

those who lived in a land of deep darkness—

on them light has shined.

You have multiplied the nation,

you have increased its joy;

they rejoice before you

as with joy at the harvest,

as people exult when dividing plunder.

4:46

A month ago, it was Christmas Day, and we had just completed a month of Advent, listening to God’s promises through his prophets. Now, moving forward, we hear one of the greatest of those promises repeated. What’s your own first reaction to hearing good news of this kind?

Notice that it’s those who live and walk in darkness who are the first to come forward into the light. What resonance might that have in your own life at the moment?

What is it like to move from darkness into light, as a new day dawns, or you switch on a lamp? Find an image that captures this feeling for you.

The last few lines of the passage speak repeatedly of joy and rejoicing. As you hear these words read now for a second time, allow yourself to be open to receiving this joy as a gift from God.

8:20

Isaiah 8:23-9:3

But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

those who lived in a land of deep darkness—

on them light has shined.

You have multiplied the nation,

you have increased its joy;

they rejoice before you

as with joy at the harvest,

as people exult when dividing plunder.

9:36

You might like to finish this prayer by simply basking quietly in God’s light. Or perhaps it has stirred in you words that you want to bring to God.

11:53

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