Breaking the Word

First Week of Advent, Thursday — 7^th December 2023 – Isaiah 26,1-6; Mt 7,21.24-27

Reversal in the Kingdom

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.  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.

First Week of Advent, Wednesday — 6^th December 2023 – Isaiah 25,6-10; Mt 15,29-37

Universal Banquet

The first reading from the book of Isaiah reassures the rejected people of Israel that God has not forgotten them but will lead them to the divine mountain where God will take care of all their needs. Not only will God provide the bare necessities, the Lord of Hosts will provide a banquet with choice food and fine drink. God’s provision in abundance will lead to great rejoicing. The theme of an eschatological banquet is common in early Jewish and early Christian literature. In Matthew’s Gospel, after healing the centurion’s servant, Jesus says: “I tell you, many will come from east and west and will take their places at the banquet with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven … (Mt 8,11-12). And again, in Mt 22,1-14 and in Luke 14,16-24, Jesus tells the parable of the banquet to which those invited made excuses not to come. This universal tone is not just for God’s people. People from all nations will pour in to join this immense banquet with the Lord. God calls every single person to experience his love and share his eternal presence. This image is used as a vision of the future life. A future life beyond death was conceived with an unending banquet at table groaning with rich food and finest drinks, things which in this life only the tiny minority of the rich could enjoy.