Isaiah 25:6-10 / Matthew 15:29-37
A mountain, or even a hill, in its natural state is stately and a majestic sight from afar.
But to climb up a hill, or a mountain, would obviously mean that we have to start at the foot of that hill or mountain.
What might seem so serene and tranquil from afar will not seem so when we are up close at the foot of it.
An uphill climb is certainly not a walk in the park even for able-bodied persons, as it is a rough and uneven terrain with thick vegetation to cut across.
So we can imagine how difficult it was for the lame, the crippled, the blind and those with some kind of infirmity and ailment to climb up a hill.
In the gospel, we heard that those were the people who climbed up the hill to seek out Jesus, and they were cured and they praised the God of Israel.
The 1st reading also talked about a mountain, a mystical mountain, where the Lord of host will prepare a banquet of rich food and fine wines.
On that mountain, the Lord will wipe away the tears from every cheek and take away His people's shame.
The season of Advent is like climbing up to the mountain of God. It is certainly not an easy climb.
But we also know that when we reach the top, we will rejoice with the celebration of saving promises of God that are fulfilled in Jesus.
So let us keep climbing and praying in our Advent preparation.