Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr
In holding someone’s hand, we know we are not alone. I’ve been the one in need of a hand to hold and I’ve been the one able to offer a comforting hand. Whether in sickness, fear, the labor pains of childbirth, accompanying someone dying, the grief that accompanies loss, the need to steady a young child, elderly or injured person, praying with others, exchanging marriage vows, or simply sharing closeness on a walk, holding a hand connects us to another, comforts us and reminds us that we are not alone.
In today’s beautiful reading from the prophet Isaiah (41: 13-20), we hear of God offering a loving, helping hand when Israel and its people are at their lowest. “I am the Lord, your God, who grasp your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’” Jacob is referred to as a “worm” and Israel as a “maggot,” but in their lowliness and shame God is their liberator and ours too.
The first reading from Isaiah continues with the healing imagery of water for those parched with thirst for God. God promises not to forsake the people of Israel. Along with them, we are given the promise of the abundant water of rivers and fountains, marshlands and springs. The desert and dry ground become fertile ground where trees can grow. There are signs of new life and new birth.
The gospel reading (Matthew 11: 11-15) brings us to the relationship of Jesus and John the Baptist. In this short reading, Jesus speaks very highly of John. He then goes on to say that being in the Kingdom of God is so great that even the least of those in the Kingdom will be greater than John the Baptist!
John had quite a following of people and could have decided to take the glory himself, rather than directing his followers toward Jesus. But that was not his calling, and he was humble enough to trust in the way that God had chosen for him. We are encouraged to do the same. “Fear not,” the Lord God will grasp our right hand and will help us.
Just as God told the Israelites to “fear not,” John’s father, Zachariah, was encouraged by the angel Gabriel to not be afraid when he announced that his wife, Elizabeth, was to bear a son and they were to name him John. John’s name, which means “Yahweh has shown favor,” was an indication of the role John would have in salvation history preparing the way for the coming of Jesus the Messiah.
During this time of Advent waiting and Winter darkness, let’s take some time to reflect on the images offered to us today and find strength and comfort in the hope that we await with the security of God’s hand in ours, our liberator, our help. And like John the Baptist, may we point others to Jesus rather than to ourselves as we reach a hand out to someone else in need of comfort, strength, or support this week, this Advent. Whose hand am I being called to grasp with love?
Eileen Miller