First Reading
Isaiah 49:8-15
Read this as the first big movement of the day. Notice what God is doing, who is speaking, and what part of the story or teaching should stay with you.
8Thus says the Lord: In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you: and I have preserved you, and given you to be a covenant of the people, that you might raise up the earth, and have the inheritances that were destroyed:
9That you might say to them that are bound: Come forth: and to them that are in darkness: Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in every plain.
10They shall not hunger, nor thirst, neither shall the heat nor the sun strike them: for he that is merciful to them, shall be their shepherd, and at the fountains of waters he shall give them drink.
11And I will make all my mountains a way, and my paths shall be exalted.
12Look these shall come from afar, and look these from the north and from the sea, and these from the south country.
13Give praise, OH you heavens, and rejoice, OH earth, you mountains, give praise with jubilation: because the Lord has comforted his people, and will have mercy on his poor ones.
14And Sion said: The Lord has left me, and the Lord has forgotten me.
15Can a woman forget her infant, so as not to have pity on the son of her womb? and if she should forget, yet will not I forget you.