The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Wednesday in the Second Week of Advent, Memorial of St. Ambrose, 07 December 2022 Isaiah 40:25-31 ><]]]]'> +><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> Matthew 11:28-30
How wonderful are your words this second week of Advent, God our loving Father: Monday you reminded us to strengthen each other, Tuesday you asked us to comfort one another, today, you console us with this part of Isaiah's "Book of Consolation":
Why, O Jacob, do you say, and declare, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God?” Do you not know or have you not heard? The Lord is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint nor grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny. He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound.
Isaiah 40:27-29
Forgive me, loving Father, in those times I doubted you, when I complained to you as if I am entitled; looking back to those trying times when I felt alone and abandoned, struggling and fighting by myself, silently crying unknown to anyone, there was YOU always with me, standing by my side, defending me, fighting my battles, even carrying me when I am lost and defeated.
Indeed, you never left me, I was never alone for you have always been with me - con solare - one with me in my pains and sorrows, trials and sickness; in Christ Jesus, you chose to suffer and die to be one with me - con solare - by helping us carry our yoke, giving us rest in you you, making it lighter and easier to carry.
Like St. Ambrose, teach us to speak your words of wisdom to those in darkness, to appreciate also your silence so we may be instruments of your consolation to those feeling alone to assure them you are one with us when darkness surrounds us. Amen.
