Reflection on Today's Readings, Tuesday of 2nd Week of Advent, Year C, and the Memorial of St. Ambrose, December 7th, 2021
Texts: Isaiah 40:1-11; Ps. 96: 1-3.10-13; Matthew 18: 12-14
In today's first reading, it is said, "A voice cries: 'In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.'" Here the voice is not situated in the wilderness and desert but charging us to prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness and make straight a highway in the desert for our God. Considering the original audience, which is taken to be Israel exiles or those affected by Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem, the imagery of wilderness and desert is that of void of despair, God's abandonment of the people and His silence. In these their predicaments, they still need to prepare the way of the Lord, make straight a highway for Him by keeping His commandments. Baruch puts his words of encouragement to the people thus: "For just as you were disposed to go astray from God, return with tenfold zeal to seek him. For the one who brought these calamities upon you will bring you everlasting joy with your salvation. Take courage, O Jerusalem, for the one who named you will comfort you" (4:28-30). The injunction to prepare the way of the Lord and make straight a highway for Him was to do the will of God, to be obedient to Him. They were to seek the Lord in their despair, in their abandonment and silence of God. God was no longer angry with them, He had forgiven them their sins; they were to seek Him, for they would find Him. Jesus tells us in the gospel that God does not want anyone of us to die. In His words: "So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” God loves and cares for each and everyone of us.
We may ask: What does this say about us? We all have our own different situations, no matter what the situations be, we are to keep seeking the Lord. Is it a disappointment? Border not, but continue to seek the Lord. Do you fall into sin? Just rise and continue seeking the Lord. Are you looking up to God for something and it seems He is silent? Just continue seeking the Lord. Are you in despair? Do not kill yourself but seek the Lord. Are you in a happy mood? Just seek the Lord. Advent is a season to seek the face of God. We are to seek the Lord in all circumstances throughout our life.
We can also see the Blessed Virgin Mary in the imagery of wilderness and desert. Desert is a barre land, not used to grow crops. A place is a wilderness because it is not used to grow crop. Hence, the imagery of wilderness and desert depicts Mary in her state of Virginity. In Mary's state of Virginity the way is to be prepared for the Lord and a highway is to be made straight. We could, therefore, say that the prophecy foretold the preparation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Today is the memorial of St. Ambrose. He was a governor and upright in his conduct. He was latter unanimously chosen to succeed the Bishop of Milan when he was still a catechumen. As we celebrate him, today, we remember that it is possible to combine righteousness with politics; one can be righteous and at the same time be a politician. St. Ambrose is an example for politicians to emulate. We also learn from him that we should be upright in whatever we do.
We thank You, God, for all you have been to us, help us to love you and seek You in and out of season. Amen.
St. Ambrose, pray for us.
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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