2 Peter 1:19 - So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Years ago, St. Francis hosted an interfaith conversation and a rabbi came to lead a discussion about Judaism. After several minutes of polite “Q & A” someone asked a question that shocked me. “Why don’t Jews believe that Jesus is the Messiah?” I couldn’t believe it! How could someone be so bold as to ask that question? But the rabbi’s response is one I haven’t forgotten. He told us, basically, that the world has not yet witnessed the ushering in of the messianic age. Well, we certainly have not beaten our swords into plowshares or our spears into pruning hooks, and we still study war (Isa 2:4). The earth is not yet full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (Isa 11:9). I guess it’s hard to argue with that.
Today’s Old Testament readings are filled with judgment and punishment along with cries for mercy and deliverance. They remind us of the painful state that our world is still in. The Gospel reading shows us an angry Jesus who clears the temple and then seems to take out his frustration with the chief priests and scribes on that poor fig tree. Where’s the peace? Where’s the harmony? Isn’t that what the Messiah was supposed to accomplish?
And then we have Peter, who tells us with such certainty that the prophetic message has been confirmed. There is a light shining in the dark place. The world isn’t free of darkness yet, but there is Hope. That is the theme for our first week of Advent. That’s what Jesus has given us - a morning star that will rise in our hearts. We will do well to attend to that.
As Advent unfolds, may we all be filled with hope, peace, joy and love!
(Sue B)
No comments:
Post a Comment