This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.
Advent readings these days are full of prophecy-fulfillment dynamics.
Today’s first reading speaks of the lame leaping like a stag, and in the Gospel reading we see Jesus, the Messiah of prophecy, curing a paralyzed man and bidding him get up.
As we turn our hearts back in time this Advent and await with the pre-Christian world the coming of the Messiah, we do so with an advantage: We know how the story progresses when the Messiah comes. We know that He is indeed the complete fulfillment of the prophecies.
We know, for example, that as we develop a life of grace–that is, a life of prayer and the sacraments–He fulfills the prophecy of the first reading. The blind eyes of our hearts are opened through the wisdom and understanding that Jesus gradually confers on us as gifts of His Holy Spirit. The parched steppe of our hearts rejoices and blooms as it is watered with the blood of the lamb, and filled with fruitful grace.
But we can empathize deeply with the pre-Christian world, immersed in darkness and bereft of grace, as we consider how Jesus’ work in us is not yet complete, and will not be until He comes again: We are still in so many ways broken, in need of His continuing work of transformation.
Still, ultimately, the Advent message is one of hope–immense hope like that of the paralytic as he rose and picked up his stretcher, full of joy not only at having been cured of his paralysis, but also completely freed from the burden of sin.
Ideas for conversation with the Lord: Consider what forms of “paralysis” Jesus has already healed in you, and what remains to be healed. Give Him the consolation that He is thirsting for: The consolation of your trust. Tell Him that as you celebrate His coming again this Christmas, you know that He will continue to come into your life and work His transformation. And ask Him to do so in abundance.
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