Here is part of our Old Testament reading, from Isaiah: ‘As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice; your bones shall flourish like the grass; and it shall be known that the hand of the Lord is with his servants, and his indignation is against his enemies.

The message here is twofold: of comfort, and of restoration; and the tone is one of joy. Let us open our hearts to this comfort, promised in so many ways throughout the Scriptures. It means that the Lord sees our affliction, and stands by to give solace as we need. His promise is also always of healing and new life. May we open ourselves to Him, being receptive to all that He so desires to give us, and may He bless us this day.