Vindication and Victory

In today's first reading for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time,  Isaiah 62: 1-5, the prophet voices his desire  quite strongly, proclaiming as follows:  "For Zion's sake I will not be silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not be quiet, until her vindication shines forth like the dawn and her victory like a burning torch." Confidently, he then states his belief:  "Nations shall behold your vindication, and all the kings your glory; you shall be called by a new name, pronounced by the mouth of the Lord. You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the Lord, a royal diadem held by your God. No more shall people call you 'Forsaken,' or your land 'Desolate,' but you shall be called 'My Delight,' and your land 'Espoused.'"

Isaiah, I believe,  is speaking about those who adhere to God's law, who worship the one true God and follow the way of Christ, living as Jesus lived here on earth.  I hear the prophet Isaiah speaking up for all oppressed peoples and nations  that are denied justice, whose right to have their basic human needs for food, water, shelter met. I hear the prophet Isaiah crying out for justice for those denied a basic education and deprived of opportunities to work for a living wage to provide for their families. Isaiah, I believe, continues to this day to intercede for victims of criminal activities: victims of human trafficking and slave labor; victims of evil, cruel, cheating employers.

Isaiah, God's spokesperson to the poor and oppressed nations and peoples of his time, states strongly his belief that "Nations shall behold your vindication and all kings your glory....No more" Isaiah proclaims, "shall people call you 'Forsaken,' or your land 'Desolate,' but you shall be called [God's]...'Delight,' and your land 'Espoused.'"

What a promised--a promised made to you and me, as well We have been totally vindicated by Jesus' death and resurrection! No longer are we forsaken or desolate. We, too, are God's "Delight." We, too, are espoused to the Lord God! We are God's bride and God the bridegroom!