(Isaiah 2, Psalm 122, Matthew 8)
During Advent we are to wait patiently, purposefully, and eagerly for the coming of the Lord. Because many want to busy themselves in commerce and celebration, it is hard to appreciate the import of these adverbs.
We wait patiently by reflecting on the significance of Christ’s coming. He will show himself to be what we have claimed all along – the Son of God, the Creator of the universe and the Lord of history. All nations will recognize him as “Lord” as the centurion does in the gospel passage today.
Of course, we hope to be recognized as his faithful subjects. Thus, we purposefully follow his commands day-by-day. From the very beginning of his preaching Jesus instructed us reconcile with adversaries. As much as possible, we are to turn “swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks.” Fulfilling this dictum from the Prophet Isaiah begins by our watching what we say. Too often we use words to attack people directly and to tear apart their reputation.
It seems like waiting eagerly conflicts with waiting patiently. After all, when we are eager about something, we want to see it come about now. But there is a congruency about the two words. After twenty centuries it would only be natural for Christians to give up the wait. We might conclude that Christ erred when he said he would return or that we somehow have mistaken his meaning. However, his “com(ing) again in glory” is an article of faith that we must not dismiss. So we tune up our ears and enlarge our radar screens to discern how exactly Jesus might be among us today, although not in full splendor. This effort creates eagerness in us much like the holy people ready to enter Jerusalem in the responsorial psalm.
