We continue reading the Prophet Isaiah this 2nd week of Advent. He is the “Advent prophet”. This is the only time each liturgical year that we focus on the first readings of the day: the various Gospels are complementary to the first reading. Isaiah’s message is one of promise, of joy to come. The main message today as well is that our God, the one who loves us unreservedly and with a deep and personal love, is here to save us. (see the Psalm).
In what seems the unlikely circumstances of war and political rivalry, his promises of hope and joy seem improbable but they come about in miraculous ways. “The desert shall rejoice and bloom … feeble hands will be strengthened … the eyes of the blind shall be opened.” Equally improbable would be Isaiah’s promise to those of us whose hearts are frightened: “Be strong, do not fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.” It is not just a promise for the future, but for now, today, as we recognize that God is here with us in our own confusion and uncertainties.
Luke’s Gospel gives us the story of a healing of a paralyzed man. We all know the story. The crowd filled the house and they could not get close to Jesus. With remarkable faith that Jesus would heal their friend, they climbed up onto the roof with the stretcher, lowered it into the house, right to the floor in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” The religious leaders wondered, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Reading their thoughts, Jesus told them that “the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…” and to the man “take up your stretcher and go to your home.”
But I often think of it as the story of a man and his friends, and the deep faith they all had in Jesus’ ability to heal. Today we have the chance to be struck with awe by the God and lead by him to action. He is at our side and saves us at every moment of the day. Today is a chance to be grateful and glorify God. If we allow ourselves to believe that God is really here with us, for us today, then our hearts will be filled with “joy and gladness.”