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Thursday of the SecondWeek of Advent
Isaiah 48:17-19
Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 & 6
MT 11:16-19
Summary
Hear this, O house of Jacob…You who swear by the name of the LORD and in-
voke the God of Israel without sincerity or justice…
Is 48:1
Rather than expecting good deeds to result in achieving our selfish prayers for
personal happiness or material success, we should engage in prayerful medita-
tion to nurture humility and compassion so the Holy Spirit resides in our hearts
and Christ’s selfless love acts through us to effect salvation both for ourselves
and for all humankind.
Reflection
Just as the first reading exhorts us to see past selfish material desires in our ap-
peals to the God of Israel, and to nurture humility and compassion in our
hearts with unfaltering faith of eternal spiritual reward not just for ourselves
but for all; so Matthew rebukes those who reject theWord of God for failing to
deliver superficial prosperity or for asking us to sacrifice.
Rather than descending from Heaven as a majestic angel, John the Baptist ap-
peared as an ordinary man, exhorting those who would listen to repent sins and
adopt a pure heart. Rather than descending from Heaven on a golden chariot
with an army of angels to slay Israel’s enemies and bring prosperity to the elite,
Jesus was born Son of Man, associating with cripples and thieves, exemplifying
humility, charity, unfaltering faith and sacrifice as the path to spiritual salvation.
In the face of persecution and doubt Paul emphasizes the value of selfless love;
encouraging us to act in a manner worthy of the God who invites us to his
kingdom and to give thanks unceasingly for theWord of God, which works in
the hearts of those who believe. Paul urges us to admonish the idle, cheer the
fainthearted, support the weak and have patience with all; to refrain from re-
turning evil for evil, but rather seek the good in
all; to rejoice and give thanks always; and to
pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians, 2:11-13 &
5:14-18.
But in the face of adversity our faith can be
shaken, and we too often pray only where all
else has failed. Isn’t it unfair to demand unwa-