"A ROOT SHALL COME FROM THE STUMP OF JESSE AND A BRANCH SHALL GROW OUT FROM ITS ROOTS"

"A root shall come from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of its roots,

The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding,

the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of the knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord."  - Isaiah 11:1-3

CHRIST'S COMING 

IN THE MIDST OF OUR BROKEN WORLD

AS WE CELEBRATE THE ADVENT SEASON

I am reminded of powerful words of the late Henri Nouwen 

from"Gracias! A Latin American Journal" that have always helped me focus my attention 

on the what is really the heart of the liturgical season.

"I keep expecting loud and impressive events

to convince me and others of God saving power...

Our temptation is to be distracted by them...

When I have no eyes for the small signs

of God's presence - the smile of a baby,

the carefree play of children, the words

of encouragement and gestures of love

offered by friends - I will always

remain tempted to despair.

The small child of Bethlehem, the unknown

man of Nazareth, the rejected preacher,

the naked man on the cross,

he asks for my attention.

The work of our salvation takes place

in a world that continues to shout,

scream, and overwhelm us with

its claims and promises."

AS WE MOVE ON TO THE ADVENT WEEKS,

MAY OUR EYES AND MINDS BE SHIELDED 

FROM THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF EMPTY PROMISES AROUND US.

RATHER, MAY OUR HEARTS BE FOCUSED 

ON THE PROMISE OF GENUINE HOPE AND LIFE 

 FROM A LOVING AND COMPASSIONATE GOD,

 WHO CHOSE TO BE BORN IN THE POOR STABLE OF BETHLEHEM

AND WHO CHOSE TO DWELL AND LIVE WITH US 

IN OUR BROKEN WORLD!

LET US OPEN OUR HEARTS AND MINDS

AND BE PREPARED FOR HIS COMING!

Zechariah and our Christmas Prayers

As Christmas approaches, I thought that it is good to highlight Zechariah and the role he plays during this advent season.  We are all familiar with his canticle as we recite or sing in our Lauds proclamation "the Dawn from on high will break upon us to shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death!"  

Zechariah both knew about light and darkness. He prophesied the coming of God and God's revelation to the people of Israel. But because of his doubt, specifically, about how God's power can become a reality in his life and for his barren wife Sarah, for nine months, he was prevented to speak.

As we anticipate the coming of Jesus, Zechariah can teach us to look closely at ourselves and examine how we experience God in our world.  Just like Zechariah, we can always speak of light and goodness, but like him, we too have strong doubts about so many uncertainties in our lives.  Sometimes, our darkness always seems too strong to loom against our world and our own life's horizons.  This darkness seems to overshadow the light, especially during this winter seasons in our lives and in the lives of the people today. 

Sister Joyce Rupp in her recent article in NCR, reminds us that even though we find some darkness in our lives and in our world, this darkness is not pure darkness. This darkness is always interspersed with light. She points out that  "it is to these dark corners that the Savior comes, bringing light by the tender mercy of God." She reminds us that, "to the darkness of our hurrying, our self-centeredness, our weakness, our frustration, our half-lived lives, our Savior comes. To the darkness of our world of war and torture, alienation and deceit, greed and corruption, our Savior comes."  We just have to believe that " the God's Light YEARNS to dawn upon us;"  All we need to do is "to open our hearts to receive this gift of loving presence."

Easier said than done. But like Zechariah, during this advent season, we are invited to believe in God's awesome greatness.  God is ever-revealing its Godself to us - in our lives and in the lives of the people around us. There is nothing dark in the presence of God's light.  May we experience these glimmers of light in the midst of our darkness.  Let us all join Sister Joyce Rupp in her hope-filled Advent prayers! 

"EMMANUEL, OUR GOD-WHO-IS-WITH-US 

may your Light 

be perceived by all who sit in darkness.

Be a Beacon of Hope 

for all whose lives are troubled this Christmas."