1st Week of Advent 2021 - Wednesday - Fulfillment of prophecies of old

 There is a beautiful interplay between the first reading and the Gospel throughout the weekdays of Advent. In the first reading there is a prophecy about the Messiah, from Isaiah these first two weeks. Then in our Gospel reading, we catch a glimpse of how that old testament prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus.

For example, on Monday, Isaiah prophesied how “All nations shall stream toward” God, not just the Jews, but all nations shall be instructed by God, and their swords will be beaten into pruning hooks.

Then in the Gospel, we heard of a sword carrying, non-Jewish Roman centurion, who approached Jesus seeking healing for his servant. 

Today, we hear the prophecy of God’s holy mountain, upon which death will be destroyed, the tears of the miserable will be wiped away, and the hungry will feast. And then in the Gospel, Jesus fulfills that very prophecy driving away the powers of death in the lame, blind, and deformed. And he then feeds the multitude through this miraculous multiplication of loaves, after which there is more food left over than when they started. 

As these prophecies were being fulfilled in the earthly ministry of Jesus, you can bet that people were getting excited. The apostles followed him with vigor as they began to recognize who he was. Jews and Gentiles began to recognize that God was at work. Jesus was stirring things up, calling the slumbering to wake up, repent, change your ways, get ready, the kingdom of God is at hand. 

So, too, in this age of the Church Advent should stir something in us. It has the power to enflame the lukewarm, inspire faith in non-believers, rouse the negligent, call sinners to repentant, and deepen the faith of even the saintly. 

But the power of Advent needs to emanate outside of the walls of our churches in the preaching and good works of the faithful. In our generosity toward the miserable, in the softening and warming of our hearts toward the poor and lame, outside of these walls souls can be touched and transformed. 

May we cooperate generously with the myriad ways our Lord wishes to draw souls to Himself for the glory of God and salvation of souls. 

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We raise up our prayers of petitions, as we await with longing the Advent of Christ the Lord.

That through the witness and work of the Church, Our Lord will bring hope to the hopeless and joy to the joyless.

That world leaders may look upon the Son of God, believe in him, and seek the peace and justice that only he can bring.

That Christ may heal every disease, drive out hunger, feed every authentic hunger, ward off every affliction, and bring peace to the suffering.

For the deceased of our parish, family and friends, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for Edward Yurick. for whom this Mass is offered.

Almighty ever-living God, who bring salvation to all and desire that no one should perish, hear the prayers of your people and grant that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and your Church rejoice in tranquility and devotion. Through Christ our Lord.