Readings or Wednesday of the Third Week in Advent: Isaiah 45:6-8, 18, 21-25; Psalm 85; Luke 7:18-23

"Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth!  For I am God, and there is no other."  Isaiah 45:22

These words from the prophet Isaiah are no doubt a preview and precursor of the coming of Christ.  A time when salvation will be opened to all men, everywhere and always.  But they are also a reminder of God's first Commandment handed down to the Jews (and to us) through Moses on Mt. Sinai: "You shall have no other gods before me."  (Deuteronomy 5:7)

From that day to the present, however, humanity has made gods out of virtually everything on earth and worshipped them instead of the one true God: money, power, sex, animals, other human beings . . . even ourselves. In fact, in no other age has man worshipped himself more than modern man does today.  The technological advancements and luxuries of modernity, together with a complete loss of the sense of the supernatural, combine to make us think that we are our own gods, with the ability to sustain and save ourselves.  But, as we know from experience, this is an allusion.  For as much as these false gods promise earthly comfort and pleasure, they always fail to satisfy the deepest desire of our heart.

Thankfully, there is an antidote for this condition.  And in ten short days, we celebrate His coming into our world through a lowly virgin named Mary.  Him whom Isaiah and all the prophets spoke of and looked forward to.  Him in whom we all "shall triumph and glory."  (Isaiah 45:25)  As we continue to wait and prepare during Advent, let us imitate the three wise men and "rejoice exceedingly with great joy" at His coming, so as to prepare ourselves to "fall down and worship Him" when He arrives on that day.

God love you.