Sunday 18 January 2026 - My God has become my strength

Sunday 18 January 2026

Today is Sunday the 18th of January, beginning the 2nd week of Ordinary Time. The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing: Ego vos elegi. ‘I have chosen you out of the world, so that you might go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last.’ As you listen to this chant, take a moment to remind yourself that God calls you, calls you by your name. However unsuitable or unworthy you may think you are, God has chosen you. Ego vos elegi de mundo, ut eatis, et fructum afferatis: et fructus vester maneat, alleluia. Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 49:3, 5-6 And now the Lord says, who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honoured in the sight of the Lord, and my God has become my strength— he says, ‘It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.’ God calls each one of us in a particular way. He called John the Baptist; he called Mary; more recently he has called well-known figures like Oscar Romero and Mother Teresa, and lots of people we’ve probably never heard of. How do you feel about this idea of each person’s personal call from God? How do you feel about God’s personal love for you, and God’s personal call to you? What might that call be? As you hear these words of Isaiah again, remember that God wants us to be glad and confident about this shaping and moulding of our lives. Through these words, can you hear God telling you something specific, perhaps about your relationship with him? Isaiah 49:3, 5-6 And now the Lord says, who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honoured in the sight of the Lord, and my God has become my strength— he says, ‘It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.’ “I will give you as a light to the nations.” Think for a moment about your own friendships and acquaintances and experiences – about how God has put you in touch with a unique network of people and places. Speak to God about your own situation. Ask for God’s help in living out his calling. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen