Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent

(Isaiah 4025-31; Matthew 11:28-30)

Spiritual theologian Fr. Ronald Rolheiser recently offered a short reflection on the “hiddenness of God.”  He wrote that the more a person enters into a relationship with God, the greater God’s mystery seems to him or her.  In other words, an intimate relationship with God envelops the believer in a “cloud of unknowing.’” This is “a knowing so deep that it can no longer be conceptualized.”  In today’s first reading, the prophet comments on God’s hiddenness to a similarly positive effect.

The reading comes from the second part of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.  God is in the process of delivering His (the Jewish) people from exile.  The people, however, are saying that God does not recognize their plight.  They believe that God has forgotten them.  God responds to their fear by stating that He has strengthened them.  Renewed in heart, the people will see their way back to their homes in Israel.

Sometimes we are tempted to give up pursuing a relationship with God.  Some might resign themselves to whatever benefits they might squeeze from the earth.  With such a strategy, however, they will miss the glory God has in store for them.  It is far better to enter a closer relationship with the Lord by submitting ourselves to Him in prayer and in action.  This is the “yoke” that Jesus exhorts us to shoulder in today’s gospel.  We will find it not only bearable but a joy because Jesus shares it with us.

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent

(Isaiah 40:1-11; Matthew 18:12-14)

People who go to college are generally smart.  They use big words when they talk.  They read books which fill their heads with grand ideas.  But other people have difficulty with studies.  Their reading is limited to the sports page or the comics in the newspaper.  They struggle to find work that they can do.  This second group may not seem like people most would enjoy knowing.  However, in both the first reading and the gospel today God shows particular care for them.

In the first reading God makes it known that the exiles in Babylonia have suffered enough.  Although some Jews prospered there, most of the deportees suffered.  They are tired and depressed.  They want to return to their native land but lack the resources.   In the reading God promises His help.  The gospel pictures a simple man who was led astray.  Perhaps he started drinking heavily or believing in money and not the Lord as his savior.  Jesus tells of the need for someone to fetch the simple man and return him to a life of faith.

It can be said that Advent is the time when we concern ourselves with others.  In contrast, during Lent we are concerned about reforming ourselves.  In the current season we multiply our works and prayers on behalf of others as a way to prepare for Christ.  Like a light in the window, our works are seen by Jesus who will come to call us home.

Monday, December 9, 2019

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Genesis 3:9-15.20; Ephesians 1:3-6.11-12; Luke 1:26-38)

Many think that priests find hearing confessions interesting.  They don’t. They consider time in

the confessional tedious work however necessary it may be.  Very often people confess the same says.  Viewing pornography seems to be the sin most confessed today at least by men.  Today’s fest testifies to one person’s escaping the scourge of sin completely.  As a special favor of God, Mary was conceived without original sin.  In turn she is to play a critical role in God’s plan of overcoming the scourge of sin I the world.

Sin begins, of course, at the beginning, just after creation.  Adam eats the forbidden fruit.  His sin readily gives way to others.  No sooner does God confront the man with his disobedience than Adam denies responsibility for it.  He says that because she gave the fruit to him, he ate it.  The woman, who will be called “Eve,” likewise refuses to accept responsibility for the sinful act.  She blames the serpent.  Fast forward to the gospel for a unique take on humanity. “Full of grace,” Mary obeys God’s word by assenting to His request to bear Jesus, God’s “Son.”  She accepts this responsibility despite the fact that she cannot understand exactly how it will happen. 

We are somewhat like Adam and Eve and somewhat like Mary.  We sin, often enough looking for excuses to justify ourselves.  But we also take advantage of the grace that Mary’s son, Jesus, has won for us.  In the end we confess our sins, accept God’s grace, and resume our moral responsibilities. 

Friday, December 6, 2019

Friday of the First Week of Advent

(Isaiah 29:17-24, Matthew 9:27-31)

No book of the Old Testament anticipates the coming of the Lord as much as that of the prophet Isaiah.  The first half of the work is attributed to the original eighth century seer.  He gives startling images to raise the people’s hopes.  When the Assyrian army seems headed toward Jerusalem like a category five hurricane, Isaiah could tell the people not to lose faith.  He says that God will care for them if they trust in Him.

In today’s reading Isaiah tells of the great works that God’s faithful will see.  He says that on the day of the Lord marvelous things will take place.  A whole country will become like a fruitful orchard.  The deaf will begin to hear and the blind, to see.  In the gospel Matthew tells of how Jesus fulfills the prophecy.  He gives sight to two blind men who put their faith in him.

We limit ourselves unnecessarily if our expectations of Advent are only end–of-the-year parties.  It is time to anticipate receiving from Christ a new vision.  During this season we can expect to see the earth not as a warehouse to be plundered but as an orchard to be cultivated.  We hope to see every person as well not as a rival but as a sister or a brother.

Thursday, January 5, 2019

Thursday of the First Week in Advent

(Isaiah 26:1-6; Matthew 7: 21.24-27)

The Protestant hymn “Rock of Ages” is said to find its inspiration in the reading from Isaiah today.  God is “an eternal Rock” who humbles the haughty and protects the poor.  There is a captivating story surrounding the origin of the hymn.   A humble clergyman returning home found himself caught in a violent thunderstorm.  Not being able to travel on, he took shelter in a cave.  Secure inside, the curate compared the cave’s wall to the pierced side of Jesus.  As his life was spared that day, so his soul was being saved by the blood flowing from the side of Jesus.

In today’s gospel Jesus is similarly metaphorical.  He compares the words of the Sermon which he is now ending to a building’s rock foundation.  Jesus assures that by living the “Golden Rule” and the other counsels presented, his listeners will withstand life’s greatest assaults.  Death itself will not carry them away.

During Advent we ask the Lord to demonstrate his strength.  We pray for an end to war in Afghanistan and on many city streets.  We dare to plead that we might become more patient, more peaceful, and more compassionate.