Fr. Eric Nicolai speaks about the beauty inherent in a life dedicated to others. This is only possible if we realize the extent of God's love for us. The Prophet Isaiah was a court prophet who constantly emphasized the value of fidelity to God. He famously expressed God's love for each person: "See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me." (Is 49, 15-16) How can we instil this attitude of gift of self in a culture that is focused more on self fulfillment?

The music is a Handel Aria, "Lascia che io pianga", beautifully rendered on the guitar by Bert Alink.

The thumbnail is Raphael's 1512 fresco of the Prophet Isaiah in the Basilica of Sant'Agostino in Rome.