The response to today's psalm "His mercy endures forever" sums up the theme running through today's two readings. The psalm itself gives all the saving events in the lives of the Israelite people and in Exodus we have the story of God leading his people out of slavery in Egypt into freedom in the promised land. We sense a great urgency in this reading and the people had no opportunity even to prepare food for the journey. But God will provide. This night will be a night that will always be celebrated by the people.

In the second reading Isaiah prophesies that Jesus is the One who will bring true freedom and justice to his people. He is the chosen one in whom God delights but also the humble servant who wishes to carry out his mission quietly among the people not seeking power or fame. Each year we still commerate the Passover as we also celebrate Jesus' passover from death to new life. He is the One who can lead us in our own lives from the slavery of sin to the freedom we experience as a child of God. Through our Baptism we too are God's chosen ones. We too have received God's spirit and we experience God's merciful love in our lives. May we too live in our lives the values of truth and justice, love and peace.