The 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time | Sunday 3 July 2022

Today is Sunday the 3rd of July, the 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time.

The choir of Westminster Cathedral sing Haec Dies by William Byrd.

‘This is the day which the Lord has made: let us be glad and rejoice in it. Alleluia.’
Haec dies quam fecit Dominus:
exultemus et laetemur in ea,
alleluia.

Today’s reading is from the prophet Isaiah.
Isaiah 66:10-14

Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her,
all you who love her;
rejoice with her in joy,
all you who mourn over her—
that you may nurse and be satisfied
from her consoling breast;
that you may drink deeply with delight
from her glorious bosom.
For thus says the LORD:
I will extend prosperity to her like a river,
and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream;
and you shall nurse and be carried on her arm,
and dandled on her knees.
As a mother comforts her child,
so I will comfort you;
you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice;
your bodies shall flourish like the grass;
and it shall be known that the hand of the LORD is with his servants,
and his indignation is against his enemies.

Today’s passage heralds restoration and comfort, renewal and rejoicing; an end to mourning. Is that something you can hold on to, in spite of pain you might see all around, or pain you might be experiencing yourself? An ultimate, glorious rescue?

The mother-child imagery is strong. Sit with that image. What does it evoke in you? A sense of protection maybe.. generosity… comforting? Can you let this picture of God’s love embrace you? Can you carry it into your day?

As you hear the passage again, notice every reference to goodness and abundance.

As this prayer time comes to a close, let this loving God look at you. Enjoy a conversation.

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.