a reading from the book of the prophet isaiah

a dear friend and i were talking just this week about how we *connect* with God - i feel the need to attend daily Mass, she enjoys quiet, prayerful time on her own, which is cool.

when things are swirling around me the way they have been this week, compounded by pressures from work and a foot that isn't feeling all that hot, things mounted and i started to come apart at the seams. when i sat back and reflected over much of what happened, i realized: i haven't been to mass since Sunday.

may not seem like a big deal, but it's part of my prayer life. if i don't have structure in this, my prayer life falters in a way because i am outside of my boundaries and am not disciplined if i am not in a restful place (this is what works for me, not saying it is what would work for you, 'k?)

that being said, i couldn't wait to go this morning and thursdays are the mornings i am scheduled to read. imagine my delight when i saw this was the first reading - from isaiah 58:6-11:

6
This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke;
7
Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own.
8
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; Your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
9
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am! If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech;
10
If you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; Then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday;
11
Then the LORD will guide you always and give you plenty even on the parched land. He will renew your strength, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring whose water never fails.

talk about meeting you where you need. God is good, all the time. even in the midst of my junk.

so be it.