Breaking the Word

1^st Week of Advent, Thursday — 5^th December 2024 – Isaiah 26,1-6; Mt 7,21.24-27

Being Firm and Strong on the Rock

Both the readings speak about construction and destruction, solidness and security, entry into the city or into the kingdom of heaven. In the first reading, Isaiah continues to describe the coming Reign of the Lord as a strong city. Jerusalem is compared to a fortified city with walls around it and with large, heavy gates through which will come all those who are found worthy of entering.  Those who enter the gates of God’s city are the just. We can identify the just, mentioned in the First Reading, with those who do the will of our heavenly Father, mentioned in the Gospel.

New Jerusalem is a city built on a Rock. The restored remnant and the lowly have seen their holy city being attacked by their enemies. Isaiah promises that God will re-establish the city of Jerusalem as the city of peace and justice. God will bring about a great reversal of fortunes. The proud and haughty will be knocked off their pedestals and the lowly will be lifted up to take places of honour.  In this way, the reign of God will bring justice to those who have acted justly or who have been treated unjustly by others.

1^st Week of Advent, Wednesday – 04^th December 2024 – Isaiah 25,6-10; Mt 15,29-37

Banquet of Immortality

Both readings are about the abundance that comes from God. Isaiah 25 contains a prophecy about the end-times banquet that God will provide not just for Israel and Judah but for all people. The Lord acts always on our behalf: he will provide a feast for all people; he will wipe away every tear; he will heal the sick and remove our infidelity. In the Gospel, Jesus cures the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute and feeds the crowds with heavenly bread. When God provides, he provides the best! Isaiah speaks of excellent meat and choice wine. This image is viewed as a vision of the future. It was used by people who had often experienced hunger and thirst brought about by drought, floods and poverty. A future life beyond death was conceived as an unending banquet at a table groaning with rich food and the finest drinks, things which in this life only the tiny minority of the rich could enjoy. The prophecy of Isaiah then gives a hope that those who partake in the food that God provides share in eternal life and God’s beatitude. Indeed, God provides food that confers immortality.