Advent Reflections
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2022
By Fr. Mathias Durette, O.S.B., Campus Minister
To follow the teachings of Jesus is, as he implies in his last words today, the way of wisdom. That’s also the message inferred in today’s first reading from the prophet Isaiah where we are told, “I, the Lord, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go.”
But the people of Jesus’ time listened to neither John or Jesus. They were too concerned with outward appearances and the letter of the Law. They refused the Messiah’s invitation to follow Him, even after hearing John’s prophecy.
Advent is not only a time of preparation. If we listen attentively – with the ear of our heart – to the readings at Mass during this holy time, we will come to realize that Advent is also a time of warning. Advent is a special time for us to prepare ourselves for the celebration of the Word-made-flesh, but it is also a time of challenges where we are called to choose the things of heaven over the things of earth.
What Jesus is saying today is that we have to infuse the most ordinary human/earthly activities – like eating and drinking – with a divine energy that will transform our every human act into an act of praise for almighty God. We need to see all creation – especially our shared humanity – as blessed by God, as made holy by God, because of the Incarnation.
What we are called to do – what we are called to become – is wise. It means that we are to see and hear and act as Jesus did.
If we choose to be Jesus’ disciples, then we must acknowledge and prepare ourselves for a life mixed with sadness and joy (for dirges and feasts, as expressed by the children in the marketplace) and to live those moments as Jesus did – all for the greater glory of God.
Two weeks remain before we celebrate Christmas. Let us, then, look for Christ more diligently as he presents himself to us in the sad and joyful events of our shared humanity, because he is most definitely there.