Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent
(Isaiah 7:10-14; Luke 1:26-38)
The first reading obviously finds fulfilment in the
gospel. Isaiah says that a virgin will
conceive and bear a son whose name will be Emmanuel (i.e., God with us). In the gospel, Mary, a virgin, miraculously
conceives the Son of God. This
comparison teaches that Jesus’ birth was planned through the ages. There is also in the two readings an
enlightening contrast.
Ahaz pretends to be pious king who would never demand
anything from God. Actually, he was an
infidel who refused to trust in the messages of God’s prophet Isaiah. On the other hand, Mary submits herself to
God’s will as it is related to her by the angel. Quite humbly, she calls herself God’s
handmaiden or servant. More importantly,
she assents heartily to the divine summons. “Be it done to me,” she says, “according
to your word.”
Humility is the fertile soil from which love grows. We cannot love God if we foolishly consider
ourselves as His equals. We cannot love
another person if we think of ourselves as better than she or he.
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