Readings:
Isaiah 59-60
Proverbs 26
Romans 15:1-13

Isaiah 59-60

God promises justice. Both vengeance to the wicked and redemption to those who followed his ways. This plays out very soon after the life of Isaiah when the people are taken in captivity but after about 70 years they return and rebuild Jerusalem. Even though almost everyone suffers in the captivity, the Lord sends a redeemer.

God tells the people that in days to come he will be their light and there will be no more darkness in their city. This sounds very similar to the description of the new Jerusalem by John in the book of revelation

And night shall be no more; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they shall reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 22:5

Romans 15:1-13

Verse 4 is very important for understanding the foundations of Christianity and having a grasp of all what is being spoken about. Paul says that everything “written in the former days” is for our instruction. This is a reference to what we’d now call the Old Testament. (See The Story of Salvation; Importance of the Old Testament )

It cannot be stressed enough, by Saint Paul and by myself, how important it is for a Christian to read the Old Testament. This is why it’s included in the readings at almost every Sunday mass, and why it’s quoted so much by the New Testament writers, by the fathers of the church, by saints throughout the ages and even in the pope’s writings.

The foundation laid down by 2000 years of salvation history, leading from Abraham to Jesus, is the foundation that Our Lord founded his ministry on, and that he was the foretold messiah of that same Old Testament.

Tomorrow’s Readings:
Isaiah 61-62
Proverbs 27
Romans 15:14-33