Isaiah 49:6
It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
The prophets of ancient Israel were extraordinary people, many lived in an extremely difficult period for Israel and the Jewish People called the Babylonian Exile from 605-539 B.C. During this time the Temple Jerusalem was destroyed, and many of the inhabitants of the kingdoms that made-up present-day Israel were exiled to modern day Iraq. The Jewish people felt that God was far removed from their present sufferings which challenged their perspective as being God's chosen people, his chosen flock. Here is where the prophets both minor and major enter the stage to remind God's people of his providence and love. The prophet Isaiah in today's reading is reminding those who face the complete change in their religious life of the great destiny that God has called them to. No matter their current situation of being barred from the Temple to participate in the celebrations and rituals of the Jewish people God is still with them. As we approach an Easter very different from any time before we need to allow the Word of God to come into our hearts and dwell their because God's love and mercy will never cease to come, and the Lord is always with us even in the darkest of times.
Get to know our seminarians! Today's reflection was written by:
Deacon Joshua Bertrand, Theology IV
Home parish: USF Catholic Student Center / Corpus Christi
Did you know...
I grew up in Osceola County Florida. I graduated from the University of South Florida with a B.A. in History. I'm currently studying Dogmatic Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
Pray with us for the men and women discerning the priesthood and religious life. To pray for our seminarians by name or to find out more about the Diocese of St. Petersburg vocations office, click here.
