In days to come,
The mountain of the LORD's house
shall be established as the highest mountain
and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it;
many peoples shall come and say:
"Come, let us climb the LORD's mountain,
to the house of the God of Jacob…
The mountain of the LORD's house
shall be established as the highest mountain
and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it;
many peoples shall come and say:
"Come, let us climb the LORD's mountain,
to the house of the God of Jacob…
The Ark of the Covenant was enshrined in the room known as "The Holy of Holys" (or Tabernacle) in Solomon’s Temple until the city was destroyed by the Babylonians. King Herod the Great rebuilt the temple; it was the crowning glory of Jerusalem. Approaching pilgrims could see its shining golden doors as they approached the city. Jerusalem was the capital of David’s kingdom; it was situated on the hill (or mountain) known as Zion.
It helps to know those five symbols: ark, tabernacle, temple, city and hill as we celebrate our faith. Because they were so precious to the Jews they appear often in the psalms, histories and wisdom literature of the Old Testament. But, symbolically, they are the same thing, especially in our Christian tradition. Mary is the Church: she is the Ark of the Covenant, the Tabernacle, the Temple of God, the Holy City, and Mount Zion. She is where we meet the Lord.
On this second day of Advent we read, “The mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills.” Zion is not the highest peak in its chain of mountains, but Isaiah the visionary apparently sees an earthquake suddenly lifting it to new majesty. (The region lies on a notoriously active fault line.) All nations will stream to it, saying “Come, let us climb the Lord’s mountain!”
Christians share this vision. We have seen Jesus Christ lifted up on a cross in full sight of all the nations. As they come to understand what they are seeing – his cross is a throne, his thorns are a crown, his shameful vulnerability is overwhelming majesty – they will come to him. They will crowd into our holy city, the New Jerusalem, the Church; and we will initiate them into the mystery of redemption.
Provided, of course, that we are ready, that we have done our penance, and suffered with him so as to be raised up with him.
During Advent we habitually invite people to come to the Church where we live and see the Infant. Let us prepare our hearts well for many, many guests.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.