The Word Of God During Advent

 

The word of God is of peace and of healing. 

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Monday of the First Week of Advent, B, December 4th, 2023
Texts: Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122:1-2,4-9; Matthew 8:5-11 

Today’s liturgy impresses on our minds the importance of the word of God during Advent. In the first reading, Prophet Isaiah says, “many peoples shall come, and say: ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the  Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the  Lord from Jerusalem.” In the gospel reading, the centurion says, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.” 

The emphasis on the word of God reminds us that the person we await is the Word of God. He will take flesh during this Advent and be born to us. This recalls the words of St. John: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God ... And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1,14). Hence, what we await is the fulfilment of God’s word in our life, to be part of us.

The word took flesh in Mary and she bore Him to the world

The emphasis on God’s word also tells us that Advent calls us to go deeper in living God’s word. Hence, prophet Isaiah says, “that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” God does not teach His ways for teaching sake or for fun but that we may walk in them. During Advent we seek the deeper understanding of God’s word that we live it profoundly. The deeper we are in living the word, the more it takes flesh in us. When the word takes flesh in us, He will be born to the world through us. The word took flesh in Mary and she bore Him to the world.  

We see in today’s readings that devotion to God’s word engenders peace and healing. Prophet Isaiah shows that faithfulness to God’s word brings about peace. This is clear when he says, “and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” We see in the gospel reading that God’s word heals. Jesus spoke and the servant of the centurion was healed. The word of God is of peace and of healing.  

Prayer  

Keep us alert, we pray, O Lord our God, as we await the advent of Christ your Son, so that, when he comes and knocks, he may find us watchful in prayer and exultant in his praise. Amen (Collect) 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke