Embracing God’s Unexpected Ways
December 13, 2024 - Friday, Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr
Isaiah 48:17-19; Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6; Matt 11:16-19
The season of Advent calls us to open our hearts to God’s surprising ways of guiding, nurturing, and ultimately redeeming us. Today’s readings from Isaiah, Psalm 1, and the Gospel of Matthew reveal three facets of God’s path for us: redemption, guidance, and acceptance of His messengers, even when they challenge our expectations.
In Isaiah, we encounter the Lord as Israel’s redeemer: “Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the LORD; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 41:14). The term “redeemer”—"go'el" in Hebrew—refers to a family member who rescues a loved one from debt or slavery (see Lev 25:25, 47-49; Ruth 2:20). By calling Himself Israel’s “go’el,” the Lord reveals how intimately close He is to His people, as if they were His family, willing to save them at any cost.
Isaiah’s message of "Fear not" was directed to a people who, in 586 BC, lost everything they held dear: family, home, and the temple. Their disobedience to God's commands had led to exile in Babylon (see Isaiah 48:18). But Isaiah’s words of encouragement offered hope for a future restored. By obeying God’s instruction and following His way, Israel could change the course of their lives. Their prosperity could flow like a river, and their triumph rise like waves of the sea (paraphrasing Isaiah 48:18).
Psalm 1 builds on this idea, describing two kinds of people: those who delight in God’s law and those who do not. The psalmist celebrates the person who meditates on God’s teachings, who is “like a tree planted by streams of water.” For those exiled, obedience to God’s law could be the path back home, leading to a renewal of life and spirit. In contrast, those who turn away from God’s law are like chaff—rootless, blown by the wind, unable to withstand adversity. For exiles who embraced Babylonian culture, religion, and lifestyle, this separation cut them off from their Jewish roots, making a return home impossible.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus points out how people rejected both John the Baptist and Himself—two messengers from God with distinct approaches. John’s austere life led some to label him as possessed, while Jesus’ openness to dining with sinners earned Him a reputation as a “glutton and drunkard.” This rejection reveals our human tendency to criticize what doesn’t align with our expectations. The people wanted God’s messengers to conform to their ideals, just as we often expect others to fit our mold. Yet both John’s fasting and Jesus’ feasting were essential parts of God’s plan. John’s call to repentance and Jesus’ message of mercy each extended God’s invitation to a life of conversion and joy.
In the first Advent, 2,000 years ago, many awaited the Messiah’s arrival, yet few welcomed Him when He came as a child in Bethlehem. That same human tendency to reject what does not fit our expectations kept many from recognizing and worshipping the Redeemer who had finally come.
Advent reminds us that God and His message of salvation may come in unexpected forms. Our role is to remain open to His ways, whether they call us to repentance or celebration. Let us pray for grateful hearts, grounded in His redeeming ways, eager to delight in His word, and open to His surprising messengers. In doing so, we prepare not only for Christmas but also for the deep transformation Christ seeks to bring into our lives.