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.
The word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan,
proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:
A voice of one crying out in the desert:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.” (Lk 3:1-6)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120521.cfm
John the Baptist challenges us all to “Prepare the way of the Lord” not in fear, rather with rejoicing.
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 147)
R. Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.
The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem;
and gathers the dispersed of Israel.
R. Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.
The Lord heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
The Lord tells the number of the stars;
and calls each by name. R. Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120421.cfm
Patience is the key virtue of Advent, to wait for the Lord. The image of Mary, Great with Child, captures the imagination of the church during this Holy Season.
On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book;
And out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see.
The lowly will ever find joy in the LORD, and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
For the tyrant will be no more and the arrogant will have gone. (Is 29:17-24)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120321.cfm
The deaf hear, the blind see, the poor have good news proclaimed to them . . . sounds like Advent! Saint Francis Xavier was one of the companions of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. He traveled all the way to Asia to bring the good news.
Alleluia (Is 55:6)
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call him while he is near.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120221.cfm
God’s nearness . . . a beautiful expression of Advent longing from the prophet Isaiah. For all seekers of God, Advent is THE time to open the ears of our hearts to listen to the prophets. Some folks use an Advent Calendar to celebrate the season . . . and yes, there's an app for that! IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/advent-app/id756869205 ANDROID: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jacquielawson.advent.london2021&hl=es_CO&gl=US
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. On that day it will be said: “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! (Is 25:6-10a)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120121.cfm
Mountains have always played a role in the story of salvation. The banquet of “rich food and choice wines” has always been seen by the church as a sign of the Eucharist and the promise of salvation from the God whose coming we await. In 1994, I founded Caring Hearts AIDS Ministry at Saint Joan of Arc Parish in Asheville, NC. Today we remember all those we have lost to AIDS, and we pray for all who are living with HIV. Today's picture is of the Saint Joan of Arc panel in the Names Quilt. Each panel measures 3'X6', the standard size of a grave.
