A reflection on the daily readings, for Friday of the Third Week of Advent, by Father Perry.
+ Today’s Isaiah readings almost sound like a television mystery plot that begins: “OK. There’s been a new development. Anybody is welcome into the club now; but after they’re in, they better follow all of the rules!”
+ I mean, for how many years were there only two groups of people on the earth?
Jews and others (Gentiles); Jews were the chosen ones.
And then there were others (Gentiles).
Now, this God proclaims through Isaiah that the others (Gentiles) are welcome on the Holy Mountain, too.
Can somebody please make up their mind!
Actually though, this word becomes a very inclusive word.
What a delight that others are becoming chosen also.
But isn’t it a two-way street?
They come to know and love the Lord; the Lord comes to love and accept them.
It just sounds like the once exclusive club (the covenant) was becoming less exclusive.
Any time that happens, all should rejoice as the whole things appears to be broadening and becoming more.
+ Jesus speaks also of something new happening.
Jesus affirms the special light and testimony that was John; but also notes that something much, much more was happening, or broadening, or coming to be.
Jesus speaks of a direct intervention and even intrusion of God’s love and testimony happening in him — Jesus — and through his works.
And he notes that this testimony of his works is a greater testimony than was John’s. And he further notes that he was sent — sent by the Father, sent on a mission! Sent to bring others (everyone) into the club — or the kingdom, or this new Gospel life, or this wonderful relationship with the word made flesh.
And Jesus’ inclusive invitation is not just into a group, but an invitation to discover new life and love eternal in the now and then forever.
Is this real? Is this attainable? Is this fantasy?
Or is this, at the deepest level, a true and a new understanding of how we can live and love and share and become as followers of Christ?
Is this, indeed, God the Holy One, sending one into our midst with a message that can be lived and in which we can grow and become more.
Are Jesus’ words on that cross a kind of map of how it can be, that in the face of injustice and murderous hatred it is possible not to be sucked into living and doing the same.
But it is possible to face the injustice and murderous hatred with love and forgiveness: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
+ At last, a real word of freedom, in this new club or kingdom or Gospel living, it IS possible to say this: “You can hate me, but you can’t make me hate you!”
Now that is freedom, that is new life!
That is who this Jesus is all about, and thank God that we, too, have been invited and included.
Father Perry D. Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.
