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Thursday of the SecondWeek of Advent
Isaiah 41:13-20
Psalm 145:I & 9, 10-11, 13-13AB
MT 11:11-15
Summary
In today’s first reading, the theme is although we are weak, God does
not want us to fear, and will always be there for us. The Responsorial
Psalm is “The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great
kindness.” In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus tells the crowds about the great-
ness of John the Baptist, and that he was the subject of the prophecies.
Reflection
In the first reading, the words,“Fear not, I will help you” really struck
me. The reading talks about God being the redeemer of Israel. The
imagery of the words “I am the LORD, your God, who grasp your
right hand;” reminded me of how we take our child’s hand and lead
them. And our children instinctively reach for our hands when they
are young. They put their faith in us to lead them safely across the
street, or guide them somewhere unknown. Too often we forget that
God is there, holding our right hand, guiding us. But we’re human,
and occasionally stubborn, not unlike the child who thinks they don’t
need the help; that they can do it on their own. “Fear not, O worm
Jacob, O maggot Israel;” Worm? Maggot? Such lowly creatures! But
the reading continues – “I will make of you a threshing sledge, sharp,
new, and double-edged,To thresh the mountains and crush them, to
make the hills like chaff.” A threshing sledge was used to drag fields to
chop straw in preparation for being separated from the grain. The
chopped straw, or chaff, and the grain
would be tossed into the air with a win-
nowing fork, and the chaff would be
blown away, leaving only the grain. From
worms to threshing sledge – quite a trans-
formation! God promises to help, to re-
deem Israel; to redeem us. I don’t know