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.
Thus says the Lord GOD: But a very little while, and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard, and the orchard be regarded as a forest! (Is 29:17-24)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120525.cfm
After so much suffering from wars fomented by others in the region, Lebanon took hope this week from a visit by Pope Leo. https://youtu.be/Yd0hLpbYRRg?si=BVgObFLL5vdvDl8k
Trust in the LORD forever! For the LORD is an eternal Rock. He humbles those in high places, and the lofty city he brings down; He tumbles it to the ground, levels it with the dust. It is trampled underfoot by the needy, by the footsteps of the poor. (Is 26:1-6)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120425.cfm
God is not impressed with empires. God is concerned with the most vulnerable and how we treat them. As Jesus says, “I was hungry and you gave me no food, a stranger and you gave me no welcome” (Mt 25:42-43). https://youtu.be/I6vjaimSK4E?si=6iJG8FQqImUXH-3_
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
