The Old Testament lesson for both today and tomorrow is the encounter between King Ahaz and Isaiah (Is. 7:10-14). The Church wants us to notice this passage! The LORD spoke to Ahaz: Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God… But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!” While it seems odd at first that the king would not want a sign from the Lord on further reflection it makes sense. If he gets a sign from the Lord he will have to listen to that. But Ahaz has already made his mind up on what he was going to do and did not want any pesky divine message to interfere with his plans. That is a common human trait. I know talking with young people about a possible vocation they “will not ask” where God might be calling them. They have their career path clearly laid out in front up them and asking the Lord the way they should go might upset the projected plan. We all act in a similar way in smaller things. When we have been hurt and there is a need for reconciliation we are reluctant to bring the situation to prayer because we fear God will ask us to forgive when we would prefer harboring our grudges. The message of the prophet, though, if we want Emmanuel, God-with-us, we must ask God to be part of all of our lives.
