Wednesday of the First Week of Advent
Today we have a look at Jesus the Savior and the one who provides. It is linked to another familiar passage of the prophet Isaiah 25. On this mountain the Lord will provide for all peoples
A feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.
On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations…
This is linked to Jesus the provider—the Good Shepherd. How often in the gospels do we hear this from Jesus: My heart is moved with pity for the crowd… today because they are hungry. In other cases, his “heart was moved with pity” for they were without a shepherd. Jesus was the great protector of the chosen ones and the one who provided for their every need. Jesus was truly the good shepherd. The crowd ate and had their fill with plenty left over.
We use the expression at times, “God provides.” Just what do we mean we say or hear that? People of lively faith firmly believe that God truly provides because the care of us all is on the divine heart. God will provide, always in suitable time, what will help us, what we truly need, a way around an obstacle in life, a path through challenges, our daily bread.
Jesus Gentle Shepherd and living bread, feed us, guide us, to the land of everlasting life. The refrain of a piece by Fr. Tobias Colgan, OSB, monk of St. Meinrad Archabbey. It is a quiet and gentle rendering of Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd. Check it out on YouTube.
Again, the Advent spirit guides us to ponder who Jesus is, who is the Messiah that Israel of old awaited, the prophecies wrote of eloquently, and whom we invite into our lives to celebrate his coming.
Reflection by Fr. Peter Ullrich, OSB
Posted in Articles for Advent, Articles for Advent, Daily Reflections