A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah
The wilderness and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom.
They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to them, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God.
Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm knees that are weak, say to those hearts that are frightened: Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you.
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf be cleared; Then the lame shall leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute tongue will sing.
For waters will burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the steppe.
The burning sands will become pools, and the thirsty ground, springs of water;
The abode where jackals crouch will be a marsh for the reed and papyrus.
A highway will be there, called the holy way; No one unclean may pass over it, but it will be for his people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray on it.
No lion shall be there, nor any beast of prey approach, nor be found. But there the redeemed shall walk, Those whom the Lord has ransomed will return, and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; They meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee.
The Word of the Lord

To Proclaim the word of the Gospel takes the reader through the traditional process of reading, meditating, praying, and contemplating bible scriptures.
These readings help the reader explore the sacred texts with greater attention and allow the Word to permeate their mind and imagination more deeply.
In Christianity, Lectio Divina (Latin for "Divine Reading") is a traditional Benedictine practice of scriptural reading, meditation and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God's word.
It does not treat scripture as texts to be studied, but as the living word.
The Lectio Divina Bible Study series is suitable for individual, small group, and parish/church use.