Life in Exile

No fixed feast day in the calendar

God's people lament in a foreign land, yet God remains present through the prophets.

Lament in a foreign land, faith refined

Life in Babylon was a long series of days filled with longing and lamentation. Psalms like Psalm 137 capture the pain of those in exile, sitting by the rivers and remembering Jerusalem. However, even in exile, God did not abandon His people. He sent prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel to comfort and guide them. Through the vision of the valley of dry bones, God showed Ezekiel that He has the power to raise Israel from the death of despair. Even though they were scattered, God was gathering them. The time of exile became a school of faith, where God's people learned to pray in suffering and place their hope in God's mercy rather than their own power.

Prayer

Suffering becomes a school of faith

Suffering is where God recreates the soul. In trial He renews and restores us.
When earthly hope fades, we learn to trust. Losing every human support, we place all our faith in God.
God’s presence is not bound to a place. He stays with His people even when no material temple remains.

Even when you feel dry, God is breathing the breath of life into your soul.

Prayer

Lord, breathe the breath of life into the dryness of my soul, that I may always trust in Your power of restoration.

The text on this page is the card in the Catholic Information app, word for word.