As we enter the season of Advent, preparing our hearts for Christmas, today’s readings remind us to be glad and to rejoice in the Lord, for He has prepared a place for us in His salvific plan. We are not here by choice or by coincidence. It is the plan and will of God. (Jn. 1. 12-13 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.) We are called to walk on the road to eternity. Sometimes it is smooth and at other times it could be rough. The invitation is to walk with Him until we have reached our destination. He will guide us along the way as a shepherd leads the flock.

In the first reading prophet Isaiah prophesies about a feast where people could enjoy with rich food and choice wine; an event to be joyful of being liberated from the clutches of oppression, humiliation, of sin and darkness. We know that it was the birth of the Messiah. The Lord came among His own to lift up the shroud of blindness which was cast over the people, and to tear down the curtain which separated us from God but we were not aware of it until we were baptised in the Holy Spirit.

We too are no different until we receive that awareness which is a gift from the Holy Spirit. The Lord is inviting us to enter into that reality and to remain in that truth. As reflected in the psalm It is a moment where we realise that the Lord has prepared a table before us in the presence of our enemies. He anoints our heads with oil and our cups overflow. This is the challenge we face every day. We use the gift of the prayer tools to enter into the spirit and make it a habit to use them whenever we are challenged.

In the Gospel proclamation it is confirmed that the Lord is concerned about every detail of our lives. He is inviting us to come in surrender. He will turn our lives into a blessing. He invites us to walk by Faith.

Prayer: Abba Father, as you have created me, mold me through every situation I face, as I surrender them to you. Amen.