But a very little while,
and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard,
and the orchard be regarded as a forest!
On that day the deaf shall hear
the words of a book;
And out of gloom and darkness,
the eyes of the blind shall see.
Today's first reading from Isaiah typifies the eager expectation of Advent. His clause, "But a very little while..." introduces a series of promises about deafness, blindness, humility and poverty, tyranny and arrogance.
There is a similar experience in Psalm 37:
I have seen a ruthless scoundrel,
spreading out like a green cedar.
When I passed by again, he was gone;
though I searched, he could not be found. Psalm 37: 35-36
And Saint Paul expects: In an instant, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Cor 15:52
These prophecies, from the perspective of my 70+ years, sound right. I have seen troubles pass and afflictions relieved; and they seem long ago and half-forgotten. As awful as they were at the time, they weren't that important.
Faith provides that perspective on time. It reminds us the future is real, and God's promises for the future, though given in the past, are still reliable. The word is ever ancient, ever new, and always now.
Faith teaches us to praise God "who was, who is, and who is to come." (Revelation 4:8)
Daily we recite the doxology,
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.
Advent carries memories of the past and confidence in the future. Christmas is just as reliable as the Earth's orbit of the Sun.
We live with great confidence because we have heard God's promises:
But a very little while and...
They shall keep my name holy;
they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob,
and be in awe of the God of Israel.
Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding,
and those who find fault shall receive instruction.
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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.