Tuesday of the First
Week of Advent
(Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 10:21-24)
A woman writes of her faith as the glue that holds her life
together. She says that when her
seven-year-old was hit by a car, she stormed heaven that his life might be
spared. Her son’s life was spared, and she remains imminently grateful. Jesus almost sings with similar gratitude in
the gospel today.
The setting is Jesus’ welcoming back the seventy-two disciples
he sent on a missionary expedition. He
is delighted that they witnessed wonders like demons being repulsed in his
name. He breaks into praise of God who provided such powerful testimony that
they, like the woman who stormed heaven, may trust completely.
During Advent we raise our expectations to see the wonders
of God. We must look beyond the goodwill
of Christmas which is short-lived and really meager. We dare to find in the vision of the first
reading from Isaiah our hope. We believe
that the time is coming when enemies will live in peace together. The adversaries we have in mind are not bears
and cows but Palestinians and Jews, Muslims and Christians. We redouble our efforts and prayers in this
special season for a world of lasting peace.
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