These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. (Mt 7:21, 24-27)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120723.cfm
Tonight we celebrate the Little Candles that light the way for the Virgin Mary, whose feast day is December 8th. She brings us her Son, Christ, the Lord, to be born in us. Saint Ambrose (339-397) brought Christ to birth in Saint Augustine (354-430).
On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples, A feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. On this mountain he will destroy
the veil that veils all peoples, The web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces; The reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken. (Is 25:6-10)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120623.cfm
The Advent visions of the prophet Isaiah continue with the banquet of the Kingdom which is for all peoples, no one left out. The challenge is to be as open to others as God’s arms are for us all. Saint NIcholas (270-343) was an early church bishop who was committed to protecting children and all those in need.
Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; The calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them.
The cow and the bear shall be neighbors, together their young shall rest; the lion shall eat hay like the ox. The baby shall play by the cobra's den, and the child lay his hand on the adder's lair. There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD, as water covers the sea. (Is 11:1-10)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120523.cfm
The image of the Peaceable Kingdom invites us to dare to dream and to work for the reconciliation of humanity with itself and then with all creation. Come, Lord Jesus, come, do not delay!
They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD! (Is 2:1-5)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120423.cfm
The vision of the old prophet Isaiah—swords into plowshares, spears into pruning hooks, no more war, no more training for war—is it just a pipe dream? Or is God serious? If God is serious, that would mean no more soldiering, no more weapons sales. Of course, the God who comes is dead serious, perhaps it would be better if we paid attention: “Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!”
No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen, any God but you doing such deeds for those who wait for him. (Is 63:16-17, 19;64:2-7)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120323.cfm
Advent is a time of joyful waiting. We wait in hope for the Coming of the Lord and the fulfillment of the promise: a new heaven, and a new earth, and a brand new us. We long for the Advent graces: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Come, Lord Jesus, come, do not delay!
