Sharing the Word

These sentiments of Jesus and Stephen expressed in today's Responsorial Psalm should be part of our spiritual equipment, too. We are all called to give ourselves to the Father, to have confidence in him.

We read Isaiah’s words today with gratitude because we know they are addressed to us, and God’s words are never spoken in vain.

God promises to raise up an heir for David whose kingdom will be firm and will last forever. This promise is fulfilled in Jesus and in his community of believers.

In today's reading the prophet looks forward to the advent of the Lord, who will come to purify his people--to bring a new era of holiness.

God may not intervene with visions and miraculous births, but he is active in every human life nonetheless. The Lord has ways of getting his will done.