comfort
"Comfort, give comfort to My people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem." — Isaiah 40:1-2
The Lord wants to comfort His people. This comforting is brought about by three cries. The first cry is: "In the desert prepare the way of the Lord!" (Is 40:3) Mammoth changes in the terrain of our lives must be made before the Lord will come (see Is 40:4). This is hardly a comforting thought.
The second cry is: "All mankind is grass, and all their glory like the flower of the field" (Is 40:6). In other words, all human beings are fragile and close to death. The Lord has a strange way of comforting us, doesn't He?
The third cry is: "Here is your God! Here comes with power the Lord God" (Is 40:9-10). Finally, we get the comfort promised. The facts are: "We have major problems and don't have the power to do much about them." The comforting good news is: "God is here!" Emmanuel, "God is with us," has come to us with His saving power. We have no further misfortunes to fear. He has saved us. The Lord is here!
"Go up onto a high mountain, Zion, herald of glad tidings; cry out at the top of your voice, Jerusalem, herald of good news! Fear not to cry out and say to the cities of Judah: Here is your God!" (Is 40:9)
Prayer: Father, may we "comfort those who are in trouble, with the same consolation we have received from Him (Jesus)" (2 Cor 1:4).
Promise: "Just so, it is no part of your heavenly Father's plan that a single one of these little ones shall ever come to grief." —Mt 18:14
Praise: As he suffered in bed with cancer, Clint drank liquor and watched pornographic movies. A caring neighbor called a priest. Clint had not practiced his faith for over thirty years. The priest talked to Clint and encouraged him to make a full Confession. After celebrating the Sacrament of Confession, the priest gave him Holy Communion and administered the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. A few hours later, Clint suddenly died, fully reconciled with God.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, June 20, 1996
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 26, 1996