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| Jacob's ladder in a Minnesota Arboretum. |
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
Today’s first reading from Isaiah prophesies what we see partly realized in today’s gospel. “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” anticipates Jesus’ miraculous work and the statement, “They all ate and were satisfied.”
But the prophecy is only partly realized because the Word of God is inexhaustible and insatiable. God wants to give us more!
Several years ago there was a movie, “The Nightmare before Christmas,” which cleverly attempted to open the Yule Season with Halloween instead of Thanksgiving. As I visit the stores today, I see the attempt worked. Christmas decorations and Christmas sales break out like a rash as soon as the goblins return to their crypts.
But, of course, Christians have a different agenda. We are now entering the mystery of Christmas through the portal of Advent, escorted by the familiar songs and scriptures of the season.
Advent is a narrow gate. It calls for a silence in which we rediscover our disappointment. We hope for peace but war comes instead. We long for serenity and feel anxiety. We dare to hope for community with all people but find disconnections within our own hearts. Advent reassures us; “You should feel this disappointment. It is the common lot of all human beings.”
Advent is the voice of Mary who quietly says to Jesus, "They have no wine." A wedding party should be joyous and carefree. It should end only when the party-goers are exhausted; not when the food and drink run out. But the wine in Cana was spent and the guests were still thirsty.
During Advent, as the world around us prepares for its gaudy and disappointing galas, we let ourselves feel the thirst. We drink water -- preferably tap water -- the drink of simple, poor folk; and wonder if water can be changed to wine, and wine to the Precious Blood of Jesus.
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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.