First Wednesday of Advent
Isaiah 25:6-10A
Psalm 23:1-3A, 3B-4, 5, 6
Matthew 15:29-37
In some respects, I find it almost unfortunate that these readings fit so well together .... I almost feel like there's nothing to say, it's so obvious. But then I wonder if anyone would actually complain if I wrote a post that was less than twelve gazillion pages long ....

Basically, what I saw in these readings, all three of them, was the whole concept continually reinforced that God will provide. In fact, the first reading even opens up with that idea: On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples.

This brings me to another piece that struck me over and over again in that passage from Isaiah — the repeated use of the word ALL. The Lord will provide for all peoples ... he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations ... wipe away the tears from all faces. We get that again in the gospel; after Jesus feeds the crowd, they all ate and were satisfied.

There are no qualifications placed, no restrictions. This will happen to all. And with the ever-famous psalm 23, we see ourselves in the first person enjoying all that the Lord provides us.

Too bad we can't be as all-inclusive as Isaiah presents the Lord to be. Too bad, too, that we can't allow the Lord to be as all-inclusive as Isaiah presents the Lord to be. Nah, we're too busy deciding who gets in and who gets smitethed.

And yet, Isaiah also speaks of a time when our false self gets stripped away, when we are seen for who we are at our inmost core -- the veil, the web that covers us will be gone; we will be left undisguised. And yet, after that true self is revealed .... the tears will be wiped away, the shame will be removed, and we will rejoice and be glad.

While we like the thought of being known, loved, and appreciated for who we are at our deepest core .... how often do we allow that luxury to others? How often do we withhold judgment, and try to see that person as God sees them? Or, as is more often the case (at least with me) ... how often do I instead begrudge them the good things that God bestows on them, deeming myself to be more worthy of those blessings?

But really .... who are we to dictate who God likes and doesn't like? Let us try to allow that veil that separates us from others to be torn away, and let us help others find themselves freed of the web as well. Then we too may be able to dwell in the house of the Lord, on that holy mountain.

Let us rejoice and be glad that the Lord has saved us!