Tuesday of the First Week of Advent
Today's Mass Readings
Advent is a season of hopeful and joyful anticipation. We might fast, we might take on certain spiritual exercises, but the attitude is different than during Lent. Advent is not a penitential season as such, rather such practices are in joyful expectation of the coming of our Lord at Christmas. Advent is also a season where we celebrate that very Catholic idea of the now and the not yet. The readings for this season, particularly the Old Testament readings, really highlight this aspect. Jesus is coming, indeed has already come, at Christmas, most perfectly at the first Christmas. And yet, His final coming is not yet; it is off in the distance at an unannounced time.
In today's first reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, we hear tell of the root of Jesse. At an historical, provisional level, this probably had something to do with King Hezekiah. But as Christians have understood for centuries this especially has to do with Jesus. This passage has been understood by Jews and Christians alike as foretelling the Messiah. For King David came from his father Jesse, and so the Davidic Messiah would likewise be a root of Jesse.
The Spirit of the Lord rests on this individual. In light of Jesus' life, it is easy to see how this passage speaks of Him. This root has already come into the world. Moreover, in light of the mystery of the Church, we see how Jesus has become a signal to the nations, and how the Gentiles have sought Him out. And yet, we still await the time when the wolf shall be the guest of the lamb.
As we celebrate this Advent season, let us think about ways in which we may allow the Lord to use us to build His kingdom, to create a place of peace where wolves and lambs may be together in harmony. This will never come about perfectly from our own undertaking, but God will use us to continue to build His kingdom. This Advent, let us prepare ourselves to meet our King, Jesus born a baby in Bethlehem, the root of Jesse reigning as King in heaven.
Jeff Morrow