Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent
The prophecy from Isaiah 7:10-14 is the same reading that we heard read just yesterday at Sunday Mass. Isaiah’s prophecy to king Ahaz, “A virgin shall conceive a bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel,” is interpreted as one of the direct references to Mary and Jesus. Mary is the virgin and Emmanuel is Jesus. However, even before this prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus, there was a more immediate fulfilment.
Biblical scholars tell us that Isaiah was first and foremost referring to Ahaz’s son Hezekiah – one of the better of the Israelite kings. Ahaz showed himself to be incapable of fidelity to the Covenant. He made political alliances with foreign nations that would compromise the Kingship of Yahweh. Hezekiah, on the other hand, began a period of reform in Judah that would see the people return to the religious fervour of its initial days. When this prophecy was made by Isaiah, we are told that Hezekiah’s mother was a virgin. Thus we are not entirely sure if Hezekiah was born of virgin birth.
However, as Isaiah was prophesising, God was preparing another virgin – Mary. Isaiah’s prophecy names the “son,” Emmanuel – literally, “with us is God.” To Mary, however, the angel said that she should name her son “Jesus” – literally “God saves” (Luke 1:36-48). The message then is simple – “God is with us to save us.”
As we reach closer to Christmas, let us become more and more aware both of our need for God and the for salvation. Without Emmanuel, without Jesus we have no hope for eternity and salvation. Thanks to the promise to Ahaz we can now claim God’s promise. In the Eucharist, in the sacraments, in our good works “God is with us.” Today merely let your hands reach out to “Immanuel.” You know he is Jesus – “the one who saves.”
- Fr. Satish Joseph