11 December 2017
Monday of the Second Week of Advent
“Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not!” (Is 35)
The responsibility of the prophet is not to make proclamations so that he can feel better about himself, or appear greater than others. His proclamation is not to be about himself at all. John the Baptist pointed to Christ saying, “He must increase; I must decrease!” (Jn 3:30) Why must we seek the increase of the Lord? Why should His coming be proclaimed? Because the very announcement of the Lord brings consolation to the heart. He is one who comes to strengthen, to heal, to give life and freedom! The whole concern of the prophet is to ready people ultimately to receive the consolation which the Lord comes to bring.
Certainly, there are those who like the Pharisees do not think that He comes. There are those who doubt His power to heal and His authority to forgive sins. In the face of such hardness of heart, prophets must insist more on the message of the Lord. And they must show by their actions and lives that they mean what they say about God. As we contemplate and announce the coming of Christ who heals and forgives, let us seek to imitate our Lord, and offer forgiveness to any who may be estranged from us now. Chances are, those people in our lives are most in need of the coming of the Lord who consoles.