Homily for Wednesday of the 1st Week of Advent

Today's Mass readings refer to the concept of the high ground. In the first reading, Isaiah describes a mountain where the Lord invites everyone to an abundant banquet featuring rich food and fine wines. On this mountain, all mourning, sadness, and shame will be removed; even death will be destroyed. This vision lifts us beyond our current experiences toward a realm where everything aligns with God's intentions.

In today's Gospel, Jesus ascends a mountainside, and a large crowd follows Him. There, high above the Sea of Galilee, Jesus restores speech to the mute, mobility to the lame, and sight to the blind. He also feeds the hungry with minimal resources, providing so much that everyone eats to their fill and has abundant leftovers.

Isaiah's words in the first reading become a reality in the Gospel. Both readings convey the message that God desires that we have life and experience it in abundance. Saint Irenaeus once said that God's glory is the human person fully alive. In the Gospel, the Lord relies on others to bring the sick to Him; He needs the disciples to assist in feeding the crowd. He continues to depend on us for His life-giving work to be accomplished.

Advent calls upon all of us to be instruments of the Lord's life-giving and healing presence in the world. During Advent, we pray, "Come, Lord Jesus," and offer ourselves as channels for the Lord's coming.