A reflection on the daily readings, for Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent, by Father Perry.
“O Root of Jesse’s stem.”
Barrenness.
Angelic appearances.
Promises of wombs being touched by God and becoming fruitful.
God-given names.
Awe and mystery of God revealed and experienced.
Visions.
Lives changed.
Futures foretold.
Strong drink denied.
Unclean food denied.
Two consecrated boys about to be delivered.
Deliverance of Israel.
Advanced years.
No obstacle.
God breaks through, and there is refuge and rock and safety and deliverance and protection. And the only response that makes any sense is sung again and again throughout the psalm — “My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!”
As we gather and pray and let our eyes be opened to mystery and wonder and the coming of salvation, many individual persons — men and women — become a part of God’s great drama and story — “O Root of Jesse, O wondrous line of David. Where are you taking us?”
And the story just keeps unfolding.
There will be a crib, and wondrous visitors; and eyes and ears and hearts being opened. And love being poured out, and ugly hatreds, too.
The story just keeps unfolding; we have heard it all before, and yet every time we tell it, more and more and more unfolds within us, too!
Are we ready to see and hear and open to it all?
The 25th will come and go, and within 24 hours that moment will pass.
Oh, to be sure, the church will cling to it for that whole season that we call the Christmas season, and we readily admit that the reason for that season is the Christ to be born.
And even though that actual event happened roughly 2,000 years ago, it still hits us full force and opens us to such a drama, such a story, such a gift of life and love.
Indeed, we are and have been and will forever be changed and offered more grace, more blessing, more life, more love.
Are we ready?
“O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for his people: come to save us without delay! Alleluia, alleluia.”
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.
