The first reading at Mass today speaks of the hope for a great reversal, so that the people taken into exile will be restored to their homeland.
The Lord says this:
Shout with joy for Jacob!
Hail the chief of nations!
Proclaim! Praise! Shout:
‘The Lord has saved his people,
the remnant of Israel!’See, I will bring them back
from the land of the North
and gather them from the far ends of earth;
all of them: the blind and the lame,
women with child, women in labour:
a great company returning here.They had left in tears,
I will comfort them as I lead them back;
I will guide them to streams of water,
by a smooth path where they will not stumble.
For I am a father to Israel,
and Ephraim is my first-born son.Jeremiah 31:7-9
Sadly in our day we are familiar with thousands again being driven to exile, suffering loss of home, employment, loved ones, security and hope.
The prophet assures there will be a time of restoration.
The theme is taken up in today’s Gospel where the once-blind Bartimaeus, sets out on a journey not to loss and exile, but following the Lord to holiness and wholeness.
- Pray for those who are lost or in exile
- Pray for justice and compassion amongst those who ‘receive’ them.
- Pray for restoration
Photo from Reuters, found here
Living Eucharist 
Reblogged this on St Nicholas, Boldmere.
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