我們今天讀到的依撒意亞的預言，很可能是在以色列人被擄歸回耶路撒冷之後而傳達的。

那就是重建的時代，如同地震之後一般。那時人們忙碌而憂慮。

先知提出了一種比物質增長更重要的方式。

從忙碌的工作中抽身，專心祈禱；捨棄一些金錢去幫助有需要的人；不僅要慷慨解囊，更要敞開心扉：這樣的齋戒看似浪費資源，實則邀請上主進入我們的生命。唯有祂才知道如何建造這座城。否則，建造者將徒勞無功。

Probably the time of Isaiah’s words which we read today was a time after the exile and the return to Jerusalem.

They were times of reconstruction, as if after an earthquake. Times of frenetic and worrying activity.

The prophet proposes another growth, even more necessary than material growth.

Fasting from hectic work to give time to prayer; losing some money to help people in need; not only by opening the wallet but much more by opening the gates of heart: such choices may appear a waste of resources. Instead, they invite God to enter our life. He is the only one who knows how to build the city. Otherwise, the builders work for nothing.