Once again the prophet Isaiah hits a homerun: “Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God.”
Don’t think of yourself, but think of the prophet Isaiah, someone who actually lived in Palestine in the eighth century BC. What experience of God must he have had to write such strong, hope-filled lines? He must have felt God subtly or suddenly acting within him, strengthening his hands, making his heart strong. In another place he writes of God: “Behold, I am doing something new!” He must have felt something new and good stirring in himself.
What about you? Jesus warmly cherishes you. He wants to strengthen you, be with you, calm your heart. Take a walk today and, well, let Jesus do what he most wants of all…to be with you!
—Mark Henninger, S.J. serves as a Pastoral Care chaplain at Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood IL.