COMMENTARY

Old Testament: Isaiah 62:1-5
The Lord marries his people. Picture the situation: The Exiles have returned from Babylon and find their capital in ruins along with the temple. The prophet brings comfort and assurance that Yahweh will remedy the situation. The analogy of marriage is used. The Lord will re-marry his people and give them a new name as a bride gets a new name from her husband. Israel is the bride and Yahweh is the groom. Married to Yahweh, the bride-Israel will no longer be desolate or forsaken but she will be a delight to her husband.

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
The gifts of the Spirit. This marks the beginning of Paul's teaching concerning the Spirit and his gifts. (11-14) The Spirit is the theme of the pericope: the Spirit enables one to confess Jesus as Lor…