When the LORD washes away
the filth of the daughters of Zion,
And purges Jerusalem's blood from her midst
with a blast of searing judgment,
Then will the LORD create,
over the whole site of Mount Zion
and over her place of assembly,
A smoking cloud by day
and a light of flaming fire by night.
The Centurion and his warriors were in Capernaum on business, which was the occupation of Israel. Their armor, weapons and visible presence reminded the city of the blood that might be shed, and the blast of shearing judgment that Rome could execute at any sign of trouble.
Isaiah's recalling in the first reading the smoking cloud by day and light of flaming fire by night also spoke of violence. The rape of a city required fires that burned day and night, and towering columns of smoke like that which mushroomed over Sodom and Gomorrah.
However, both readings, despite the ominous symbols, promise peace to God's people. The Lord will wash away the filth and purge Jerusalem's blood from her midst. The cloud by day and fire by night are God's presence, powerful, commanding, and reassuring. The LORD does not abandon his people.
The Gospel will always remind us of our unworthiness. There is no light without shadow and the Light of Christ shines brilliantly, illuminating in stark contrast the dark unwillingness of our attitudes, habits, and customs. The Good News of the Gospels is news after all, and news continually reminds us our sins. Stories of mass murder, drug abuse, suicide, and collapsing infrastructure shout reminders that our way of life is seriously flawed. This cannot continue!
Jesus reminds that the routines of ordinary life -- of eating, drinking, buying, selling -- might be suddenly, irrevocably destroyed by war, disease, or natural catastrophe. And yet our Christmas routines are often nothing more than eating, drinking, buying, and selling. If anything the commemoration of Jesus seems to add a note of desperation to these traditions. We're no more prepared for judgement than "the day when Lot left Sodom."
Advent is extra long this year, a full twenty-nine days. There is time to pay lip service to our society's demands and obeisance to the One who will visit our unworthy homes. There is time to welcome a visit by the Poor Child and his Holy Mother.
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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.