Two Ways Of Preparing For The Lord

 

Advent is a period to retreat.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Tuesday December 19th During Advent  
Texts: Judges 13:2-7.24-25; Psalm 71:3-6,16-17; Luke 1:5-25 

We see in today’s readings the two ways of preparing for the Lord. Today’s first reading presents exterior way of preparation. We read, “Therefore beware, and drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean, for behold, you shall conceive and bear a son.” An angel instructed the mother of Samson to stay away from pollution and uncleanness. During Advent we are to stay  away from whatever that can pollute us. We are also to stay away from whatever that can make us unclean.  

We see in today’s gospel reading interior way of preparation for the Lord’s coming. This is clear in the life of Zachariah and Elizabeth, the parents of John the Baptist. Zachariah waited for the birth of John the Baptist in silence. We read, “And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things come to pass”. Elizabeth withdrew from people to await the birth of her son. We read, “After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she hid herself”. This tells us that Advent is a period to retreat and meditate on the mysteries of our salvation. 

The importance of divine instruction

We learn from the readings the importance of divine instruction. The mother of Samson listen to the angel and she conceived and birthed her son. The encounter of Zachariah with Angel Gabriel reveals that divine message is always true. It also reveals the danger in doubting the divine message. We read, “And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things come to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time." It is an invitation for us to heed divine message, the word of God.  

Zachariah and Elizabeth are examples of life of righteousness and holiness. We read, “And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the  Lord blameless.” They teach us to walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. They invite us to live a blameless life.  

Prayer 

O God, who through the child-bearing of the holy Virgin graciously revealed the radiance of your glory to the world, grant, we pray, that we may venerate with integrity of faith the mystery of so wondrous an Incarnation and always celebrate it with due reverence. Amen (Collect) 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke