REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK OF ADVENT (ST. LUCY) 13TH DECEMBER 2023

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK OF ADVENT (ST. LUCY) 13TH DECEMBER 2023

Isaiah 40:25-31; Ps.103; Matt.11:28-30

“I will give you REST”

Imagine a tattered young man selling a book titled: “Five Ways to become Millionaire”. People will obviously see him as a joker. If his book can do what it claims, then the sellers should be a clear testimony. In the gospel reading of today, Jesus invited his listeners to come to him with their troubles and difficulties and he will give them rest. The question now is: “was Jesus himself actually having rest at that time?” This is someone who was always as logger heads with the Scribes and the Pharisees; this is someone whose crucifixion was being planned; the disciples have not even understood him well; yet he is promising rest to those who come to him.

Well, we may hold on to the above impression if we define the “rest” promised by Jesus as a complete absence of trouble in life. This cannot be what Jesus met because he himself clearly had troubles in this world. His troubles were second to none. Yet he rested. To rest means to draw strength and wisdom from God in dealing with life’s challenges. To rest means to be confident that all that happens to you is never without God’s permission. To rest means to be rest assured that God is working out everything for your good even when you do not understand the process.

No one is ever able to rest without confidence in God. The first reading assures us of the greatness of God such that he cannot be compared to anyone or anything. The summary is that what God cannot do does not exist. Sometimes, it is not as though we do not pray when challenges come our way. But the rate at which we panic after prayer, it is as if we are seeking for a plan B in case plan A (prayer) does not work out.

The gospel acclamation tells us that the Lord is coming to save his people; those who wait on him shall be blessed. Today, advent wants us to learn that patience is a virtue we must inculcate as children of God.