Saturday of the First Week of Advent

 Lectionary: 180

O people of Zion, who dwell in Jerusalem, no more will you weep; He will be gracious to you when you cry out, as soon as he hears he will answer you. The Lord will give you the bread you need and the water for which you thirst. No longer will your Teacher hide himself, but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher, While from behind, a voice shall sound in your ears: “This is the way; walk in it,” when you would turn to the right or to the left.

The dominant images in today's readings from Isaiah and Saint Matthew are pastoral. Those who hear the directing voice from behind are sheep, and the voice is the shepherd. Sometimes he moves ahead of his flock to lead them visually; sometimes he protects their rear, and directs with his voice. Shepherds often use highly trained and eager dogs to direct the sheep. They too respond to the shepherd's audio signals of whistles or shouts. 

In any case the image and message are profoundly reassuring. Our Lord gives us our daily bread and the living water we need. 

As we wait for December 14 and the electoral college to formalize the decision of six weeks before; we turn to our faith for reassurance. Many Americans might be deeply distressed but those who live by faith, practicing penance during this penitential season, listen more closely to the Voice of God. We hear, "No more will you weep," and "This is the way; walk in it." 

The president's unwillingness to admit defeat and his refusal to allow a smooth transition process is certainly distressing. Many people believed in him as a competent, honest man, despite his behavior as an inept, foul-mouthed demagogue. Some, no doubt, supposed they could control the political naif and he would promote their agenda despite himself. They made a bargain with the devil; the nation and the world must pay the price.

Catholic faith, however, has deeper roots, a longer memory, and a wider awareness. Our faith is not in "America," which is a grand idea but not an eternal verity.  We remember when our fellow citizens believed in kings and queens; we remember later generations who swore by a Nazi dictator or by Communist czars. We don't believe in a state, or a government, or their processes. "We believe in God the Father Almighty, the creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ...." 

In Advent we invite the Holy Spirit to refresh our confidence in God through the practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. We have been distracted at times. Our children have received confusing messages from us and the world around them. They need and deserve a better witness than we have given. 

....when the towers fall,

The light of the moon will be like that of the sun

and the light of the sun will be seven times greater

like the light of seven days.

On the day the LORD binds up the wounds of his people,

he will heal the bruises left by his blows.