The story of exile recounted in our first reading is the story of the world separated from God, a story of much of our world today. In recent years the world has seen many "days of desolation", days of turmoil and terrorism, days when nature itself seems to hate us.

In spite of the desolation, the Church calls upon us to rejoice on this Laetare Sunday. Isaiah has a beautiful passage justifying this joy, for God admits turning away from Israel and hiding his face from them "for a brief moment": I did forsake you for a brief moment, but with great love I will take you back. In excess of anger, for a moment I hid my face from you. But with everlasting love I have taken pity on you, says Yahweh your redeemer. (Isaiah 54:7-8). God's love is greater than all the sins of the world; hence the truth of our hope.

In everlasting love and pity, through the gift of the Eternal Son, our Redeemer, God took us all back, Israelite and Gentile alike. God's everlasting love and pity calls forth the joy proclaimed by the Church today and allows us to taste the hope of Easter.