Daily Catholic Lectio
Saturday, 9 December 2023
First Week of Advent – Saturday
Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26. Matthew 9:35-10:1, 6-8
God’s closeness
The people of Israel, when they were unable to discern the will of God, began to take decisions on their own. In the context of the Syro-Ephramite War, the people of Israel wanted to join hands with Egypt to combat Assyria. God warns them not to return to Egypt; he assures them of his presence with them. The first reading contains a message of hope and reassurance.
God transforms the lives of the people of Israel at three levels: (a) the people will cry no more; (b) they will begin to recognise God; and (c) they will enjoy prosperity.
God comes close to the people of Israel. His closeness could be felt easily. For they will see the Lord, their teacher. They will listen to God’s voice in their ears. The people who saw God on Mount Sinai will begin to see him face-to-face. The voice that they heard through prophets, priests, and kings will begin to be heard in their hearts.
God’s closeness brings forth prosperity to them: (a) The people of Israel will prosper economically; (b) The earth and the elements of the sky will prosper; and (c) The land will regain its prosperity.
In the Messianic reading, God comes close to us through the incarnation of Jesus.
The gospel reading brings before us Jesus, who is compassionate towards the people who follow him. Jesus’ compassion is revealed in his proclamation of the gospel, healing, and sending of the apostles on mission.
What are the lessons that we learn from today’s readings?
(a) God’s closeness to our lives brings transformation. The factors that hinder us from experiencing his closeness are prejudice, fear, and indifference.
(b) A person who experiences God’s closeness must take that experience to other people. God himself empowers the person to do so.
(c) Jesus exhorts his disciples to give freely whatever they have received. A person who sees everything as God’s gift will grow in gratitude.
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The Catechism of the Church teaches, ‘light and darkness, wind and fire, water and earth, the tree and its fruit speak of God and symbolise both his greatness and his nearness’ (cf. n. 1147).
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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