Friday, December 15, 2017

Friday of the Second Week in Advent

(Isaiah 48:17-19; Matthew 11:16-19)

Metanoia is the Greek word for repentance.  It literally means a change of mind.  Of course, metanoia is the great theme of Lent.  Nevertheless, both readings today convey the idea.

The reading from Isaiah promises abundance if the people would only follow the Lord’s commandments.   God will give them plenty, it says, but they have to obey His law.  Jesus sounds exasperated because the people always find a way to avoid the ways of righteousness.  His reference to John the Baptist’s ascetic lifestyle should be heard as a metaphor for John’s preaching “fire and brimstone.”  But the people ignored John anyway.  Jesus has presented the call to repentance in an opposing way.  His “eating and drinking” should be taken as proclaiming God’s goodness to those who turn to Him.  By suggesting God’s graciousness, Jesus echoes Isaiah in the first reading.  The people, however, still do not care.

The Christmas season serves as a testing ground for our repentance.  As everyone knows, it is the most materialistic time of the year.  If we have repented of the world’s ways, we will not desire to either receive or give luxurious gifts.  Our aim will be to welcome the Lord by showing kindness and joy to all.

Homilette for Monday, January 8

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, January 8, 2007

Once after a liturgical service, the bishop joined the food line. Certainly no one told him to wait in line. No doubt many people would have been glad to serve him. In fact, some workers at the host parish were probably embarrassed that the bishop was standing in line. But he wanted to be there. He did not want to put himself ahead of the people. For this one time, he was to be seen as one of them.

Jesus probably submits to John’s baptism for this same reason. Like the bishop he too wants to be seen as one of the people. This is not a show, however. Although he has no sin, he still experiences a kind of repentance. Repentance translates the Greek word metanoia which means a change of mind. Jesus has changed his mind in a sense. He has put away his carpenter’s hammer. From here on, he will take up the mission that God, his heavenly Father, has given him. He is setting out to save the world.

The dove that descends over Jesus indicates a new creation. In Genesis the original creation begins with the Holy Spirit fluttering the like a bird over the great abyss. Now God will reform heaven and earth through Jesus. It is a breath-taking moment. The heavens have been closed for years. God has been long silent. Now he speaks: “You are my beloved son.” We can only expect something truly awesome from Jesus.