FIRST READING: At the time of this writing, the Jews were in deep despair over the slow rebuilding of their home town after a long exile. The prophet calls for the opposite of despair, using tender and sensual images.

SECOND READING: Some among the Galatian Christians were boasting about how thoroughly they kept the old laws of Moses. Paul doesn't want that law imposed on new converts, so he boasts about surprising things that are his because of Christ.

GOSPEL: You might think of this gospel as the very early church's meditation on the question, "Why doesn't everybody else believe the good news that we believe?"

EXCERPT: If it is doom and gloom that the prophet is combating, he employs a clever psychological trick, the tender but powerful image of a nursing mother. Who can argue with that? As lector, your job is to deliver this convincingly. But don't sound bombastic, or you'll spoil the tenderness of the nursing imagery.

Say "Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her," like you're speaking to dispirited people not inclined to be glad; you're trying to turn around a bunch of complainers. Slow down for the nursing imagery, pausing after "her abundant breasts." This image will take your listeners by surprise (when did you last hear such a suggestion?), so give them a moment to let it sink in. In the next sentence, the prophet repeats his source of authority, "For thus says the LORD," so you should summon an authoritative tone for that and for what follows.

EXCERPT: You could deliver this in the argumentative way that Paul originally said it. Then, when you say that circumcision matters not, you'll really be knocking down any obligation, whether religious or otherwise, that doesn't grow from your relationship with Christ crucified and risen.