Wednesday, December 3 – “The Lord Is Gracious and Merciful”

Scripture

“On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a

feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear.

And He will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that

is spread over all nations; He will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord God will wipe

away the tears from all faces.” Isaiah 25:6–10a

Reflection

Isaiah paints one of the most moving pictures in all of Scripture, a feast prepared by

God Himself, a table of abundance and joy spread for all peoples. On this mountain, sorrow

is ended, death is destroyed, and every tear is wiped away. The prophet’s vision lifts our

gaze beyond earthly sorrow to the eternal banquet of the Kingdom.

Advent stirs this longing within us, a hunger not just for food, but for communion;

not just for life, but for Life Eternal. The “mountain of the Lord” is Calvary as much as

Zion, and the feast prepared there is the Eucharist, the pledge of the eternal wedding supper

of the Lamb. Each Mass we attend is already a foretaste of Isaiah’s prophecy fulfilled in

Christ.

As members of the EOHSJ, this vision also resonates with the Holy Land itself,

where the mysteries of our redemption unfolded. There, the Word became flesh, was

offered as the Lamb, and rose victorious over death. To support and protect that land is to

honor the place where the promise of Isaiah became reality.

As we journey through Advent, the Lord invites us to His banquet of grace, to be

nourished by His Word and Sacrament, and to let His mercy heal the griefs that weigh upon

our hearts. The table is prepared; our part is to come with faith and gratitude.

Prayer

O Lord of hosts, You prepare for us a feast of life and joy. Wipe away our tears,

strengthen our hope, and make us worthy to share in Your heavenly banquet. May we bring

others to Your table of mercy through love and service. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Meditation Question

How do I experience the Lord’s banquet in my life, in the Eucharist, in His Word,

and in the communion of the Church? What sorrow or fear do I need to entrust to Him

today?