New garments

Flowering almond blossoms: the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

because the Lord has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor;

he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,

and the day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all who mourn;

to grant to those who mourn in Zion—

to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;

that they may be called oaks of righteousness,

the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

(Isaiah 61: 1-3)

Come away

Photo: Flowering almond

 

My beloved spoke, and said to me:

“Rise up, my love, my fair one,

And come away.

 For lo, the winter is past,

The rain is over and gone.

 The flowers appear on the earth;

The time of singing has come”

 

Song of Solomon 2:10-12