3rd Week of Advent 2021 - Wednesday - "Near indeed is salvation"

 

Throughout the Old Testament God is revealed as Savior. 

In the early books of the Old Testament God saves people from famine, from slavery, and from enemy armies. Over and over, through Judges like Gideon and Deborah, God saves his people who fall into sin and become vulnerable to enemies like the Amorites, Philistines, and Canaanites. David sings of how God saves him from the murderous plots of saul, and is a constant savior to the people of Israel.

We know the story well of the devastation wrought by the Babylonians. Israel, having forsaken God quite profoundly, fall to the Babylonians and are marched off into exile.

For about two generations, from 587 to 538, the exiled Jews lived under the oppression of the Babylonians. Prophets like Daniel began to speak of how God would save the Jews from Babylonian exile.

In the Gospel, we hear how God the Savior had now come in the flesh, curing the blind and the lame and the lepers and the deaf, and raising the dead. The same God who saved the people of Israel over and over in the Old Testament, had now come as the savior of all mankind.

These Advent readings help us appreciate who Jesus is, who we will be celebrating at Christmas. Not an ordinary man who simply had nice things to say about getting along with each other. He is God in the flesh come to save his people—and not simply from physical ills or enemies, but from the great spiritual enemies of the human race—sin and death. 

These Advent readings help us appreciate who Jesus is, who we will be celebrating at Christmas. Not an ordinary man, who goes about an ordinary life. He is God in the flesh come to save his people—and not simply from physical ills or enemies, but from the great spiritual enemies of the human race—sin and death. 

“Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him” writes David in today’s Psalm. 

Like Isaiah, like David, like John the Baptist, we are to point people to Jesus who is the Savior of mankind. Christmas is not the celebration of the birthday of an ordinary child. It is the birth of the Savior of mankind without whom we would remain exiled from heaven forever. 

May all the ends of the earth turn to him for salvation, justice, and peace, 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 and the saving powers of God.

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.