During Advent We Await Our Redeemer

 

Our Redeemer is coming to transform what makes us cry.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Saturday of 1st Week of Advent B, December 9th, 2023
Texts: Isaiah 30:19-21.23-26; Psalm 147: 1-6; Matthew 9:35-10:1.5.6-8 

During Advent we await our Redeemer; He is coming to transform our life, our situation. Hence, we read, “Thus says the  Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: Yes, O people in Sion who dwell at Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when he hears it, he will answer you.”  

Our Redeemer is coming to transform what makes us cry. He will provide guidance and instructions that lead to a fruitful life. Prophet Isaiah puts it thus: “And though the  Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself any more, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” The Redeemer will make impact on our lives if we listen to Him and keep His words. 

In His days there will be abundance

The Redeemer will also redeem our land; He will bless our land and make it fruitful. Prophet Isaiah says, “And he will give rain for the seed with which you sow the ground, and grain, the produce of the ground, which will be rich and plenteous.” In His days there will be abundance. Prophet Isaiah puts it thus: “And upon every lofty mountain and every high hill there will be brooks running with water, in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall.” The abundance, here, manifests in contentment, not in avarice or greed. 

He is coming to transform our condition and make it glorious and gracious. In the words of prophet Isaiah “Moreover the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day when the  Lord binds up the hurt of his people, and heals the wounds inflicted by his blow.” 

He goes about touching lives and healing souls

Today’s gospel reading shows that the Redeemer we await is in our Lord Jesus Christ. He goes about teaching the people the ways and preaching the gospel of the kingdom. He goes about touching lives and healing souls. We read, “Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity.”  

Jesus Christ shared this work of redemption with the apostles, the hierarchy of the Church. We read, “These twelve  Jesus sent out, charging them, ‘Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And preach as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying, give without pay.’” The hierarchy of the Church also shared it with other members through institution of ministries.  Nevertheless, Jesus calls us all to preach the gospel of the kingdom.  

Prayer  

O God, who sent your Only Begotten Son into this world to free the human race from its ancient enslavement, bestow on those who devoutly await him the grace of your compassion from on high. Amen (Collect) 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke