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.
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. (Is 25:6-10a)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120325.cfm
My mom loved picnics. She believed that food eaten outside tasted better. I have lots of memories of the meals we ate on our picnic trips in the mountains of Western North Carolina. It seems that the Prophet Isaiah had the same idea. Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552) was a cofounder of the Jesuits with Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556). He was a missionary to the Far East and Japan. https://youtu.be/YNcaQxjjSMs?si=If5cXZ0rw3M5stXa
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/120225.cfm
The vision of the peaceable kingdom captures the heart and is the Advent challenge to live in harmony with one another and with nature. https://youtu.be/azNS3TLR8iI?si=ZnMLRQTVBUV3rvdn
I rejoiced because they said to me, "We will go up to the house of the LORD." (Psalm 122)
Many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven. (Mt 8:5-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120125.cfm
Advent is a joyful journey to the banquet in the Kingdom of God. We get a foretaste in the Eucharist: O sacred banquet, in which Christ becomes our food, the memory of His passion is celebrated, the soul is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us. Today is World AIDS Day. We pray for all who are living with AIDS. We remember all our beloved dead. Today’s photo is the icon, Mother of God, Light in All Darkness. https://youtu.be/xyhO4-1GVU4?si=gly40W82XxdUFcWG
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/113025.cfm
Swords into plowshares, spears into pruning hooks. Is it just a bit of prophetic nonsense on the part of Isaiah? Or is it possible that human beings can work together for the justice that brings lasting peace? Obviously, peace is hard work, harder than singing Kumbaya. Beating swords into plowshares and spear into pruning hooks requires strength and commitment. “Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!” https://youtu.be/kp-880Tj2E4?si=3TeVSD-_xXI-dlDO
Jesus said to his disciples: " Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man." (Lk 21:34-36)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112925.cfm
To stand before the Son of Man is not a dreadful threat, rather it is an awesome invitation to consider the Lord’s mercy in all our actions. As we prepare to enter Advent, a special time of vigilance and prayer, let us look for his coming with joyful anticipation as the Virgin Mary did. https://youtu.be/P6jlSMwA-CY?si=ekDbXJOxvx5eza6x
