Readings:
Isaiah 48:17-19
Matthew 11:16-19
Reflection:
Australia is surrounded by water; being an Island Continent, we can boast about some of the most magnificent Beaches in the world. However, each year we have a high number of aquatic accidents, and the likelihood of being bitten by Sharks is always a possibility. There are signs up everywhere along our coastline, warning us of the dangers present in the water. Most serious accidents happen because some people don’t take notice of the signs, and their irresponsibility makes news nearly every day during summer.
God’s Word as proclaimed by the Prophet Isaiah in the first reading, is a clarion call to people of all times to heed, take notice and put into action the guidelines for living life to the fullest, within the Lord God’s Covenant. Making these guidelines part of our lives, enables us to have a fruitful life and know the importance of reconciliation. On these pillars, the Community of God grows.
The Gospel from Matthew underlines the consequences of the stubbornness within people, in their deliberate quest for self-determination away from God, it causes blindness in them, which affects their recognition of seeing the saving plan of God at work in Jesus.
Advent is a time for a serious wake up call to examine the quality of our Christian lives and to probe our spirituality and gauge its health. We put our car in for Service; Advent is the time when we go in for Service: The Advent Readings are constant Invitations for us to change! Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
Kevin Walsh is a priest in the Diocese of Parramatta in Sydney. He has been formed in the Passionist tradition, and Ministers to the Aged, the Sick, the Dying and the Bereaved.