Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: December 6, 2023

Date: Wednesday of the 1st Week of Advent

Scripture Text: Isaiah 25:6-10a

On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples A feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, The web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces; The reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken. On that day it will be said: "Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the LORD for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!" For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The first reading for today gives us the LORD’s promise of victory over death through the prophet Isaiah. “On this mountain” refers to Zion, both the as the city of Jerusalem in which Jesus did die upon the cross, defeating sin, and rose from the dead, defeating death, and as the home of the LORD, or heaven. The words of the prophet were realized in Jesus’ paschal mystery when the Father through the Son and in the Spirit did indeed save us. And we await Christ’s second coming during this season of Advent.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I look to the LORD with praise and thanksgiving because of the salvation won by Christ? Do I sit with the LORD and rejoice for this gift?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, for love of us, You sent your only begotten Son to dwell among us as our brother and to give his life for ours, defeating sin and reconciling us with You. And through his resurrection, He defeated death. Send your Spirit to stir the embers of our faith, our hope, and our love during this Advent season so that we might more fully celebrate Christmas as the gift it was and await with hope Christ’s second coming. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.