In the first reading, we find that Judah is in a political dilemma. Surrounded on all sides by its enemies, and not being able to do anything, King Ahaz is thinking of striking a deal with the Babylonian  Kingdom. The Prophet Isaiah approaches him and asks him to reconsider. He invites him to get into a friendship with Yahweh the God of his ancestors, so that Yahweh can help and save Him and His Kingdom. Ahaz refuses, he probably may have had no faith, or he was answering the way his people had grown to side line Yahweh in their life, yet not vocally renouncing Him. Isaiah further urges Ahaz to reconsider, knowing his plight, he urges him to ask Yahweh to grant any sign, so he can begin to trust Yahweh. This sign Isaiah says can be world wise an impossibility, so Ahaz can understand and believe in Yahweh. Ahaz declines. At this Isaiah, prophecies the immediate solution God is offering Him – the virgin – the girl who is being groomed to be His Wife will bear an heir, who will restore the house of Judah and mend it and destroy its fences with Yahweh. That comes to pass eventually in Great King Hezekiah. But the main request for the sign remains incomplete. An impossible sign – a sign that is higher than the heavens and deeper than the seas and wider than the cosmos. In the birth of Hezekiah, it was a simple everyday reality… and the main sign remained in waiting…, until the virgin conception of Mary. What is remarkable is is the contrasting way both, Ahaz and Mary reacted. And this was based on their non-experience, or experience in a personal way with God. Society teaches us to approach God is a certain way and a certain protocol. It teaches us we need to be right, contrite and we need to be repentant etc… But to God that is secondary. What He desires more than anything is that we be His friends, come to Him and speak with Him and unburden ourselves. And that is where the magic of transformation takes place, because even as we commit to engaging God, we become more confident and start giving up on our fears and insecurities. And begin to love and live, like God. This was what was missing with Ahaz, he considered himself being modest before God, was the right thing to do… in the process he lost a great friendship with God. ‘O if today you are down and out, or desire help, or even feel desire for God, don’t be modest, be shameless in approaching Him and pouring what ever is in your heart.’ Repeat it day in and day out. At the end of the month, look back, and you will begin to notice how things have changed in your life…