Today's readings for Wednesday of the 1st Week of Advent speak of "feasting."
In the 1st reading we here from Isaiah:
"On this mountain the LORD of hosts
will provide for all peoples
A feast of rich food and choice wines,
juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines."
In the Gospel we hear of the multiplication of loaves and fishes:
"Then he took the seven loaves and the fish,
gave thanks, broke the loaves,
and gave them to the disciples,
who in turn gave them to the crowds.
They all ate and were satisfied.
They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full."
The readings speak to the satisfaction we receive in our going to God. The point is go to God. This requires humility. The humility to say that I can't do it on my own. The recognition of the need for others and for God. The Advent season is about the coming of Christ, but also a reminder of our own journey. We must not forget that we are on a journey back to God and Jesus came so that he might be our path back to him. We are a people on the way.
The readings also speak to this point. Isaiah says, "On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, The web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces; The reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken." In the Gospel we have the beautiful image of how "Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others." If Jesus is to become our path, if we are to go to God we must as we are. Sure, we have weaknesses, but Isaiah reminds us that God "will destroy the veils" and "will wipe away the tears." Jesus recognizes our faith as he did with the crowds who went to him, "They placed them at his feet, and he cured them" says the Gospel.
We must look to God. We must embrace Jesus with great faith. The joyful coming that is to come in the birth of Jesus is indeed our looking to God and embracing him in faith. Our hearts must be prepared to be filled with the Lord in deep faith. Let us truly be able to say, "Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the LORD for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!"
