Monday of the First Week of Advent

Lectionary: 175
In days to come,
The mountain of the LORD's house
shall be established as the highest mountain
and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it;
many peoples shall come and say:
"Come, let us climb the LORD's mountain,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
That he may instruct us in his ways,
and we may walk in his paths."

Advent and Christmas are all about God's promises and our hope. We learned that as children when we were told to expect wonderful presents; and we might even get the toy we asked for. 

As we begin this season we would do well to hear God's word and understand more about God's promises. What should we expect? 

Isaiah speaks of Jerusalem; all nations shall stream toward it. It is sometimes called by the hill on which it was built, Zion or Sion. Isaiah sometimes calls Jerusalem Ariel, though we're not too sure why. It is one of the world's most ancient cities, having seen and outlived the rise and fall of many empires.

Ezekiel described the city as the center of the earth, and Isaiah promised that all nations would come there. They would bring not only their eagerness to love God; they would also bring great wealth, and the slaves they'd taken from Israel. These promises were given as encouragement and reward for the fidelity of God's people, and as consolation and vindication after their intense suffering. Strangers and pilgrims would come seeking healing, forgiveness, and wisdom; they would be awestruck by the gracious, merciful majesty of God; and delighted that the Creator of Heaven and Earth would deign to set up his tent in Jerusalem. 

Pope Benedict remarked on the lack of nostalgia the early Church showed for the temple of Jerusalem. The Roman conquest of the city and razing of its temple in 70 AD, was a catastrophe for Jews throughout the world, but hardly caused a ripple among Christians. By then they had shifted their allegiance from the city to Jesus. Several years later, the Book of Revelation described a new Jerusalem coming down from heaven, beautiful as a bride prepared to meet her husband. 

But, as remarkable as that vision was, it only echoed the innumerable promises given to the ancient city of David. To understand and appreciate the promises we turn again to the Old Testament with its stories, prophecies, psalms, and expectation. 

Citing Ezekiel, the medieval church described Jerusalem as the omphalos, or navel, of the earth. It was also sometimes known as the pole, with the earth circling around it. Ancient maps situated Jerusalem in the middle of the known world, where Asia, Africa, and Europe meet; halfway between China and Great Britain. Regardless of the accuracy of these maps, that centering around God's holy city recognized its importance in salvation history. 

As Christians and Catholics, we read these promises to Jerusalem as promises to the Church. Like the city, we are blessed and sinful; sometimes desolate with sadness and remorse, sometimes elated by grace and restored hope. Always we hope for that day when all nations and their citizens will honor Jesus, the Son of Mary and Son of God, as the Savior of the World. 

We are certain that will make all the difference, provided that they honor the Lord in a manner that is fitting. That is, they will love the Lord God and Father of Jesus with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength -- even as we should. 

On that Day all the earth will stream to the Church to join us in the Eucharist. Like us, they will bring their treasures of wheat bread and grape wine to be transformed into the Body and Blood of the Lord. And they will sing in all languages psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in their hearts to God.

Today, as the world's attention is fixed anxiously on Ukraine, Israel, and Washington, DC, we turn our minds back to the Word of God and the promise of Christmas: all nations will find healing, comfort, and direction in a New Jerusalem.