Thursday of the Third Week of Advent

O Leader of the House of Israel,
giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
come to rescue us with your mighty power!

Lectionary: 194

Therefore, the days will come, says the LORD,
when they shall no longer say, “As the LORD lives,
who brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt”;
but rather, "As the LORD lives,
who brought the descendants of the house of Israel
up from the land of the north”–
and from all the lands to which I banished them;
they shall again live on their own land.

In today's first reading, we hear the Prophet Jeremiah offering his desolate disciples a shred of hope for the future. The present in Jerusalem, as the Babylonians siege the city, breach its walls, and reduce the city with its famous temple to cinder, is very bleak. 

But "the days will come, says the Lord!" 

The prophet reminds his people of what they know, have always known, and must never forget: "...the Lord brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt." 

Without a knowledge and love of the past, no one can face the future, especially when the present is so awful and the immediate future looks worse. The people of Jerusalem must remember that they carried little into the wilderness as they escaped Egypt, and yet the Lord sustained them for forty years. 

I led you for forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes did not fall from you in tatters nor your sandals from your feet;  it was not bread that you ate, nor wine or beer that you drank—so that you might know that I, the LORD, am your God. (Deut 29:4-5)

The Babylonian exile was several centuries before Jesus and almost twenty-five since our time. But we do not forget how the Lord sustained the Jews, our spiritual ancestors, and brought them back to Judea to restore the ruined city. More importantly, we have to stand in amazement at the continuing presence of Jewish people in the world. No other nation, tribe, or people can describe such a history of persecution, annihilation, and genocide and still praise the God of their ancestors. No one can tell how many cities, nations, and peoples have flourished and disappeared without a trace since the first humans migrated from Africa. And yet the Jews survive and continue to contribute to the well being of humankind. If anyone would see a mighty work of God they need look no further. 

Their hope is our hope as we wait for the Second Coming of Christ. Many people listen to today's news and worry obsessively. They would do better to turn off whichever communication they're using, and open a line of prayer to God. The rosary is a good start; the Mass is better. Silent visits to an open church, or withdrawing to one's private room of prayer is good. To pray is to be immersed in the history of God's people and rooted in the Word which abides forever. 

Joseph, a righteous man, prayed often; and that is why he knew the voice of God and the truth about Mary when Gabriel spoke to him. He knew Abraham, Moses, and David; and that God would not abandon his people. With that assurance he was more pleased than surprised to learn of the birth of the Messiah. 

When Joseph awoke,

he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him

and took his wife into his home.