Friends, welcome to Word on Fire, Catholic Ministries. Word on Fire is an apostolate dedicated

to the mission of evangelization, using media both old and new to share the faith on every

continent and to facilitate and encounter with Christ and His Church. The efforts of

Word on Fire engage the culture and bring the transformative power of God's Word where

it is most needed. Today we invite you to join Bishop Robert Baron as he preaches

the gospel and shares the warmth and light of Christ with each of us.

Peace be with you. Friends, our first reading for this weekend is taken from the

magnificent 60-second chapter of the prophet Isaiah. The prophet is speaking of the

return of Israel from its desperate exile in Babylon. After years of suffering and

degradation, the people are coming home finally to Jerusalem. Now here's what Isaiah says,

Nations shall be hold your vindication and all kings your glory. You shall be a

glorious crown in the hand of the Lord. No more shall people call you forsaken or

your land, desolate. See what he means here. The shame of Israel will be removed. How

shameful that was for them. They were the chosen people, the special race, and they were

conquered and exiled. And all the world will see the beauty of God's people. Then we

find these extraordinary lines. Listen, indeed the Lord will delight in you and make your

land his spouse. As a young man marries a virgin, your builder shall marry you.

Friends, I think in many ways all the biblical spirituality is contained in those striking

words. The one who made the universe, the great builder, the architect of the cosmos, will

do what? He will marry his people. He will share his life, the richness of his being with

them. He will allow them to participate in his own life. He will make your land his spouse.

He will marry this nation. Now I say it's a summation of biblical spirituality because

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