Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent
It is the season where expectations begin to run high. For many us, especially children, there are advertisements, store windows and TV commercials peddling the fancy toys or gadgets that are “must have.” For many of us, there is decorating, parties, cleaning, cards and cooking. These activities are in addition to our already busy lives. Our goal is that all of these things happen in a picture perfect way. In this, our own expectations can lead to our possible unraveling.
From this perspective, we approach today’s readings. They challenge us to examine our own expectations, not only of ourselves but of our God. In Isaiah, the prophet speaks with the voice of God using words that echo the main Jewish creed - “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord.” These words communicate God’s expectation that we make as our only God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The message continues that this same God is to be our source of strength and our reason for justice. Only to this God, are we to bend our knee.
Who is this God? The gospel has John the Baptist sending his disciples to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” (Luke 7:19) Are you the messiah we have been expecting or is it someone else? Jesus answers them by telling them to witness to John of the wonderful works they observed through Jesus.
Reflect upon your own view of God and how God interacts with our world. Is your view hope-filled? Do we as a community believe that this is the God who Isaiah proclaims as bringing peace and salvation? Do we witness to God’s presence in our lives by steadfast faith or do our expectations dictate how God must act? Jesus witnesses to all what we should expect from believers: Jesus wants us to work to heal those who sick, to walk with those who are suffering and desires that we us proclaim good news to the poor? These works of mercy are the very ways we outwardly live God’s great expectations for us.
“God of Hope and Justice, in so many ways You rain down your love upon us. Continue to strengthen our faith during this Advent season. Guide our thoughts, words, and actions so that they joyfully give witness to the coming of your kingdom. Amen!”
-Michael Montgomery