Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent
(Isaiah
45:6c-8.18.21c-25; Luke 7:18b-23)
Today’s reading from
Second-Isaiah – the second part of the prophet’s book – speaks of God’s
majesty. He created light. Not limiting Himself to physical light, He
gave humans moral light as well. He gave
them law. They can find peace by keeping
the law. Those who rebuke the offer will
be rattled and humiliated. Ultimately, they
will have to succumb to God’s sovereignty.
In the gospel Jesus
shows that he comes from God. He works
marvelous deeds including giving special attention to the poor. His works rhyme with those of Second-Isaiah. Those who follow him are blest; those who
reject him are cursed.
We follow Jesus by
obeying his law of love. It is simply
stated but lived only with self-sacrifice.
We are to love both God and neighbor.
This commandment entails limiting what gives us pleasure so that God is
praised and other people are uplifted.
