Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest

 Lectionary: 180

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.

As we finish the first week of Advent we hear reassuring words from the LORD. Isaiah describes a return to Eden when the crops are plentiful and the livestock both healthy and fertile. Enemies will be defeated and driven from the territory, "...on the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall." 

As we gratefully acknowledge both our sins and God's righteous judgment, we will know the mercy of God as he heals the bruises of his blows . 

Isaiah seems to describe the Holy Trinity as he tells what the Father, the Teacher, and the Guiding Spirit will do:

• He [the Father] 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 [ the Son] hide himself, but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher,
• While from behind, a voice [the Holy Spirit] shall sound in your ears: “This is the way; walk in it,” when you would turn to the right or to the left.

The doctrine of the Trinity describes God's presence to us, and our presence within God. I think of Saint Francis's description of Mary as, "...Daughter and handmaid of the Most High Sovereign King, the Heavenly Father; Mother of our most holy Lord Jesus Christ; and Spouse of the Holy Spirit." 

But this three fold relationship to God is not limited to the Blessed Mother, as the Lord insisted when a woman shouted her admiration of his mother: 

“Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.”

He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” (Luke 11:27-28)

All of the baptized are mother, brother, and sister of the Lord. By our Baptism and Eucharist we have a physical, familial relationship to the Lord. His Spirit is the breath that sustains us. 

The practice of penance in which we acknowledge our unworthiness disposes us to the worthiness which the LORD gives us. The Father sees the Son in our actions and recognizes his Spirit in our prayers. 

We have begun this Holy Season well. And "Well begun is half done!"