During Advent the readings are chosen to complement one another. Today’s reading from Isaiah speaking of the mountain of the Lord where there will be “rich foods and choice wines” serves as a counterpoint to the gospel of Luke which reports the story of the multiplication of the loaves and fish. Both passages suggest the plenteous bounty that God wishes to bestow upon us. We can relate to the prophetic word: “This is the LORD for whom we looked.” How wonderful it is to have a Lord who showers blessings upon us. However, we know that soon after the events reported on the gospel the crowds which had enjoyed the meal turned against Jesus. What they hadn’t looked for was the cross. As long as the Lord was blessing them they felt God was with them. They did not want a God who included the cross as part of the bargain. We face the same temptation. To be true followers of Jesus demands that we understand God is with us in good times and in bad, in the blessing and on the cross. Let us give thanks during the blessings and have hope when we have to pick up our cross and follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
