The lion and the lamb together in peace!
Already the 2nd Sunday of Advent. The celebration of the Christ Child's birth only two weeks and two days!
The first reading -- we are familiar with these Isaian words and the pictures they bring to mind -- has its strength from the way Isaiah presents the power of a new Messiah coming form the kingly lineage of Jesse, Saul and David. This reading also has its strength in the description of what we can can the reconciling of opposites.
What does this picture of a powerhouse Messiah and a new reconciled Eden where all is in order mean for you?
Two considerations: the sprouting from Jesse's lineage presents a Messiah to come whom most people could easily accept. Reading how the Father's spirit will endow him with wisdom, understanding, council and strength, knowledge and fear (might we say respect and awe) of the Father, who would not stand up and proclaim allegiance.
Now, especially in a world where war, division and true hatred of people are true dividers within our human family, who would not hope and pray for Islam, Judaism and Christianity to be the "guest" of each other? Who would not want to see the struggle and division brought about by the immigration factor ended so that "the calf and the young lion shall browse together" especially with a "little child to guide them?"
We are preparing for a day when the gift of the Father is born in a most unusual setting. If Christmas is to be what the Father wanted it to be, are we not called to accept the Jesus Child the Father gave us along his with teachings? Are not his teachings about justice and his call for us to trust in God what we should put before ourselves as we reflect upon the meaning of Christmas? Albeit some two thousand and seven years ago that this Messiah was born and then some 30 years later inaugurated his preaching , are we not called to effect Isaiah's vision of peace among all humankind?
So, we should ask: What have I done to strengthen my relationship with Jesus? What have I done to rebuild the "orderly life of Eden" in my family, my community, yes, even in my world?
There is no end to the sharing of love, and, therefore, the potential happiness of such love is without limit. Infinite sharing is the law of God's inner life. He has made the sharing of ourselves the law of our own being, so that it is in loving others that we best love ourselves.
.....................................................................Thomas Merton, No Man Is An Island
