“I am the Lord, your God, who grasp your right hand; It is I who say to you, “Fear not, I will help you. Fear not, O worm Jacob, O maggot Israel; I will help you, says the Lord.” The first reading for Mass from the book of Isaiah begins with these verses. On the one hand, they are comforting. God will grasp your hand and He says to not be afraid because he will help us. Then – He calls Jacob a worm and Israel a maggot!
Laura Kazlas
Preparing for the Birth of Christ
“Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem.” Aren’t these words beautiful? So many times people picture God the Father as a harsh judge, but today’s first reading for mass shows us otherwise. When God reveals himself to his people, it is often with much gentleness, like the way the sun rises in the morning, or how roses open their soft pedals very slowly and gently to reveal their beauty. God’s personal revelation of Himself to us as individuals, is often this way too.
Those Who Err in Spirit and Those Who Find Fault
“Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding, and those who find fault shall receive instruction.” The first reading for mass ends with these words from the book of Isaiah. This isn’t the main point of the first reading for mass, but it is still something worth noting. God is merciful to those who love Him. God is merciful even with our sins, rash judgements and misunderstandings. If you break this statement down into two parts: there is the one who sins, and there is the one who judges the sinner.