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The BreadCast


Daily Exposition of the Readings for Catholic Mass...

as well as Prayers to the Saints on the General Roman Calendar (for the U.S.).  

From the books Our Daily Bread and Prayers to the Saints by James H. Kurt - both with imprimatur.

Dec 8, 2023

(Is.30:19-21,23-26;   Ps.147:1-6,Is.30:18;   Mt.9:35-10:1,6-8)

 

“On the day the Lord binds up the wounds of His people,

He will heal the bruises left by His blows.”

 

“Cure the sick, raise the dead, heal the leprous, expel demons.”  With these words Jesus sends His disciples forth proclaiming, “The reign of God is at hand!”

The prophecy of Isaiah has been fulfilled.  The Savior has come.  The Teacher is at our side now speaking into our ears, “This is the way; walk in it.”  And of all our sins He cleanses us; from all our sickness He heals us.  Indeed, “as soon as you call He will answer you,” for He is ready to wipe all tears from your eyes.

And what must be our response to a Lord who “heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”  We must be the same as He.  We must go forth as He has, teaching, proclaiming “the good news of God’s reign,” and curing “every sickness and disease.”  It is our call to make others whole in heart, mind, soul, and body; and so, to whatever need is present – and there are many or the Lord would not ask us to “beg the harvest master to send out laborers to gather His harvest” – we must apply the grace of God.  He will do the work that is needed, but He needs us to work through.

To what glory all are called; what a wonderful message we have to bring forth!  Isaiah, the great prophet, only touches upon it when he cries out that the Lord “will give rain for the seed that you sow in the ground” (see how He will bless your work!) and when he proclaims: “The light of the moon will be like that of the sun and the light of the sun will be seven times greater.”  This vision is for all who turn to the Lord for healing.

We have been bruised, brothers and sisters.  No doubt, our sins have brought wounds to our souls.  But the Lord will bind up all these; in His surpassing pity He will raise us all from death as He “rebuilds Jerusalem.”  Let us bring this message forth.

*******

O LORD, heal us of all ill and teach us

to walk in the way that leads unto Heaven.

YHWH, we lie prostrate from exhaustion, do we not?  We thirst for your presence; we hunger for the Bread you provide.  Come to us.  Send your laborers to teach us and to heal us of every disease, to bring us your grace.  Have pity on your sheep, O LORD!

We are broken, but when we cry out to you, O LORD, you hear our voice and quickly answer our prayers.  And what promise you make to our waiting hearts!  Abundance of blessing shall be ours as you heal the wounds of our sin and bring us into your glorious presence.

Seven times greater than the light of the sun will be your light on that Day, O LORD.  Streams of running  water will fill our thirst for you and by your teaching we will be led in our every step.  Come, LORD, fulfill your promise in our midst.  Let all men know your reign is at hand.