Daily Retreat 12/11/07
2007 Dec 11 Tue:Advent Weekday/ Damasus I, pp
Is 40:1-11/ Ps 95(96):1-2. 3 and 10ac. 11-12. 13/ Mt 18:12-14
From today’s readings: “Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God.... Tell His glory among the nations; among all peoples, His wondrous deeds.... In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost....”
Tidings of Comfort and Joy
Chapter 40 begins a new section in the long book of Isaiah with some of the warmest and most tender words in the entire Bible: "Comfort, give comfort to My people," says your God. "Speak tenderly to Jerusalem...." This is followed by the familiar prophecy of John the Baptist, the one who cried out "Prepare the way of the Lord!"
The Advent themes all come to a mighty crescendo in this symphonic first reading. Clearly, the insistence is on "Gospel" which literally means "good news" and "glad tidings." What is the good news? Not just the saving actions of God, but His very presence: "Fear not to cry out and say to the cities of Judah: Here is your God!"
ALL of our Advent activities and Christmas preparations need to be imbued with this gospel of the proximity and presence of our God. Why waste your time buying into commercial themes and activities at this time of year, when what you, and your family, and your friends, and the whole world really want and need are tidings of comfort and joy, which you can give by joining Isaiah as herald of glad tidings, crying out at the top of your voice as herald of good news!
Is 40:1-11/ Ps 95(96):1-2. 3 and 10ac. 11-12. 13/ Mt 18:12-14
From today’s readings: “Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God.... Tell His glory among the nations; among all peoples, His wondrous deeds.... In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost....”
Tidings of Comfort and Joy
Chapter 40 begins a new section in the long book of Isaiah with some of the warmest and most tender words in the entire Bible: "Comfort, give comfort to My people," says your God. "Speak tenderly to Jerusalem...." This is followed by the familiar prophecy of John the Baptist, the one who cried out "Prepare the way of the Lord!"
The Advent themes all come to a mighty crescendo in this symphonic first reading. Clearly, the insistence is on "Gospel" which literally means "good news" and "glad tidings." What is the good news? Not just the saving actions of God, but His very presence: "Fear not to cry out and say to the cities of Judah: Here is your God!"
ALL of our Advent activities and Christmas preparations need to be imbued with this gospel of the proximity and presence of our God. Why waste your time buying into commercial themes and activities at this time of year, when what you, and your family, and your friends, and the whole world really want and need are tidings of comfort and joy, which you can give by joining Isaiah as herald of glad tidings, crying out at the top of your voice as herald of good news!
posted by FrPitstick | 12/10/2007
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