Wednesday, IV Lent
(Isaiah 49)
Lent is generally associated with the Hebrews’ Exodus from Egypt. Our forty days of struggle against sinful tendencies correspond to the forty years of purification that the Hebrews underwent in the desert. There are other Bible stories, however, which also give meaning to our Lenten experience. The first reading today presents one of these.
In the sixth century before Christ the Babylonians conquered the Kingdom of Judah and carried many of its people into exile. It was a terrible experience of subjugation, humiliation, and mortification. The prophets wrote of it as a punishment for the excesses of the people during the period of kings. Many rich people squandered fortunes in idolatrous living and ignored the plight of the poor. But Isaiah pronounces enough is enough. The people have learned their lesson. God is at hand to bring them back to their own land.
We would do well to hear the voice of Isaiah as a wake up call. God has noticed our sacrifices and is coming to rescue us from our sins. We have to hold the line for two and a half more weeks. But just as sure as the daylight now exceeds nighttime so can we count on God liberating us through Christ’s Easter victory. He shall crown our efforts of charity, prayer, and fasting to make us God-like in generosity, wisdom, and self-control.
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