Memorial of St. Francis Xavier, Priest
Whenever there’s a mountain in scripture, we know that God is especially near and palpable and that something transformative is happening. We find ourselves today envisioning the holy mountain of the Lord with Isaiah. God’s holy mountain, where all people not only have enough, but we feast together. Where the veil that separates people into “us” and “them” is lifted. Where death is no more. I read this and want to reprise the words we heard from Isaiah on Sunday, “Come, let us climb the mountain of the Lord!” (Is 2:3). Yes, let’s run and climb!
I know that Advent is supposed to be a season of patient waiting, of intentional slowness. I also know that for many people, Advent is a busy season, filled with preparations for Christmas. I wonder, what if our running in Advent were a running toward this mountain described in Isaiah? What if our preparations were not centered on those we love the most and who are closest to us, but rather on those we struggle to love or resist caring for? What if we gave not only from abundance, but we were willing to surrender to the needs of others?
This is the vision that we get on the mountain with Jesus today. God’s free gift of love is lavished upon all who are in need of healing. They do not earn their healing. We don’t earn God’s love either. When we open our eyes and ears and become aware, we see God’s love present all around, even in the dark times. Sometimes, God appears especially in the dark times when we are crying out.
Yes, God’s love, this holy mountain is a free gift. At the same time, God loves us so much that God wants us, trusts us, to participate in this vision. God uses us to lavish love on one another. On the mountain in the gospel today, Jesus is moved with compassion for those who are hungry. He chooses to use the gifts of the people that are freely given. Christ asks us to trust, to give what we have, and allow Christ to bless it and give it away.
This is not logical, but nor is the holy mountain or the kindom of God. Perhaps that’s why it’s so compelling. Perhaps it’s why I long for it, why we long for it in these dark days. It does not come only by our waiting, but by our participation in it.
I am weary of human logic and hungry for Love lavished, for veils lifted, for tears to be wiped away. Are you, too? Come, let us run and climb the holy mountain.
—Kelly Adamson