Isaiah 45:6-8, 18, 21-26 / Luke 7:19-23
The season of Advent has a dual spiritual purpose.
It is a time of preparation for the celebration of the Lord's birth. And it is also a time of waiting for that joyful day to come.
This preparation and waiting also focuses on the second coming of Christ when all would be made new and our hope would be fulfilled with rejoicing.
Yet in this season of Advent, the commercialization of the festive season with its busyness of material preparation often takes the focus away from the spiritual dimension.
So the question that the disciples of John the Baptist asked Jesus is also a good question for our reflection for the season.
Is Jesus the one whom we are preparing and waiting for, or are we waiting for someone or something else?
The first line of the 1st reading gives us a strong reminder - Apart from Me, all is nothing.
Yes, apart from Jesus, this season with all its festivities and merry-making would be empty and mean nothing.
May we not lose focus nor the faith in Jesus in this season of preparation and waiting.