On the second Sunday of Advent we heard Isaiah’s prophecy that the Lord would bring comfort to Israel. “Comfort, comfort to my people…for your captivity is at an end”. Remember, Israel had entered the harshest darkest winter of its history, at least since the time of the enslavement of the Hebrews in Egypt. Ready your souls, Isaiah announced, for God is about to draw you close to Himself.
Today’s reading continues that very same chapter, chapter 40 of Isaiah, where Isaiah continues to explain how God will bring strength and rejuvenation and vigor to Israel. In fact, Isaiah describes a sort of supernatural strength: the people of Israel will run and not grow weary, they’ll soar, as the wings of eagles.
In the Gospel today, the Lord Jesus identifies Himself as the one who will grant this strength. The Lord says, come to me, and I will give you rest. Here we have another inadequate English translation of the original Greek. For in the Greek, the Lord doesn’t just say I will give you “rest”, but rather, I will give you “rejuvenation”, “renewed strength”.
So, as we find so often in our Advent Scripture readings, in the first reading we have the promise, and in the Gospel, we have the Lord showing how he is the fulfillment of that promise. Gos promises strength to the weary, and in Christ he gives strength. Through the sacraments and in imitation of his goodness, we are given tremendous strength to endure these cold, harsh times.
This year, more than ever, I think we commiserate with Israel in the experience of weariness and captivity. We feel captive to forces which seem beyond our control. Many experience real captivity stuck in their houses either out of fear or real concern for their health. Captivity is wearing. The experience of wanting things to change but feeling powerless to do so, is wearing.
Which makes the Lord Jesus’ promise all the more important—which makes Advent all the more important. This is the time for the Church’s rejuvenation through Christ. In our weariness, we are to turn to Christ, running toward him in prayer and good works. It’s not like we don’t have the time.
Sadly, many are so discouraged, and honestly, improperly formed in their faith, that they aren’t turning to God as they should. They aren’t developing the sort of prayer lives that CAN be a real source of rejuvenation in Christ. They aren’t taking advantage of the opportunities to make a real difference in the lives of others, and they are sadder for it, and more weary for it.
We lift up the souls of all the discouraged and the weary today, that the Lord may break into their lives, perhaps even using us as his instruments of His Advent, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That the Holy Father, all bishops and priests, religious and laity may shine with the Light of Christ’s love for the lost and despairing.
That world leaders may look upon the Son of God, believe in him, and seek the peace and justice that only he can bring.
For those who have fallen away from the Church, who have become separated from God through error and sin, for those who reject the teachings of Christ, for their conversion and the conversion of all hearts.
That our young people will turn away from the evils of our culture to spread the good news of Christ’s eternal kingdom.
For those experiencing any kind of hardship or sorrow, isolation, addiction, or illness: may they experience the healing graces of Christ.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.
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