Monday of the Second Week of Advent
Have you ever had the experience where you were looking forward to a particular event so much so that you were happy and excited just thinking about the future happening? Maybe this event was a vacation that you had planned for some time, or maybe a family reunion that you were looking forward to gathering with loved ones. Perhaps it was the upcoming birth of a child that brought this great sense of excitement and joy. Today’s readings speak of this same joyful anticipation.
As I read the first reading from Isaiah, I couldn’t help but smile as I sensed the gladness that was being proclaimed. Even nature is bursting forth with joy. “The steppe will rejoice and bloom. They will bloom with abundant flowers and rejoice with joyful song.” (Isaiah 35:1-2) The barren desert previously “thirsty ground” now becomes “springs of water”. (Isaiah 35:7) And the reason for this rejoicing is truly remarkable. “Here is your God; he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you.” (Isaiah 35:4) What an amazing event- our God comes to us to bring us salvation! Because of His coming, “Those whom the Lord has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy;” (Isaiah 35:10) During Advent we are invited to await with joy the celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas. Unfortunately, the busyness of the holiday season distracts us from the true purpose of this season of waiting. We become so consumed with the shopping, baking, and decorating that we forget about the promises of what our savior will bring- “ Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared: Then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing.” (Isaiah 35: 5-6)
In the gospel reading, we witness the fulfillment of one of these promises from the first reading. The friends of a paralytic man are so convinced of Jesus’ power that they go to great lengths to “set him in his presence.” (Luke 5:18) Since the crowd of people is so great, they lower him on the stretcher through the roof to place him in front of Jesus. Because of their great faith Jesus not only heals the paralytic “he stood up immediately before them,” but also freed him from his sins. “”As for you, your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 5:20) Those who witnessed this healing “glorified God, and struck with awe, they said,” We have seen incredible things today.” Luke 5: 26)
So how can I have this same joyful anticipation during the season of Advent? How can my joy be like the streams bursting forth in the desert? In the past, I oftentimes find myself exhausted and grumpy by the time Christmas actually arrives. Our women’s faith sharing group is reading a book about having a Mary heart in a Martha world. This takes on particular significance during this busy time of Advent. I have been reminded that I must spend time at Jesus’ feet just as Mary did, and this will better prepare me to serve like Martha. Reading and reflecting on the scripture is one way that I can spend time with Jesus and experience this expectant joy of the season. I mentioned earlier in the reflection, that just reading the verses from Isaiah were a cause for gladness, since I was reminded of the wonderful works of the Lord as he makes “the holy way” for the “redeemed to walk.” (Isaiah 8-9) Although it is a challenge, if I make time in my busy days to see the incredible things that God has done and is doing in the world around me, I will also be filled with awe just as those who witnessed the paralytic man’s healing in the gospel. With God’s grace and a commitment to spending time in His presence with His word, I think that not only will I be able to experience the joyful anticipation of Advent, but the great peace and love that He promises with the celebration of Jesus’ birth at Christmas.
Today let us come to the Lord and pray that we may prepare for Jesus’ coming by spending time in His presence reflecting on His Word. May the gladness that we experience become a light to others, so that all people may know that in the midst of all the festivities of the holiday, Christ is THE source of all our joy!
Marylynn Herchline