Throughout
this first week in Advent, our first readings from the Hebrew Scriptures have
contained very vivid images from the Prophet Isaiah. Today’s reading from Isaiah contains a
metaphor that illustrates the hope of God’s salvation for his people: “But a
very little while, and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard, and the
orchard be regarded as a forest.” This
metaphor indicates a revolution where the Gentiles will be included. The
Gentiles become the heirs of Israel and the Jews restored to their lineage.
Lebanon, God’s people, will be restored to spiritual sight and the Holy Spirit
will inspire understanding.
We learn a great deal about our present
spiritual journeys by listening to the past, by being led by the Holy
Spirit. As we endure the colder
temperatures and the darkness of the winter days during this season, perhaps it
will help us to look inside ourselves and to listen to God. As we reflect on the prophecy of Isaiah, “out
of the gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see,” perhaps we feel
called to look through the lens of our Catholic faith in a new and fresh way
during this holy season of Advent. This
can be a painful process, but it is a process that can bring us true peace and
better understanding in our lives of faith.
Advent is indeed a time of preparation, a time
of renewing our faith and our relationship with God and with others. May the Holy Spirit enlighten us and help us
to reflect on our past and our present through our Catholic Faith. May we become closer to God as we prepare for
the birth of Jesus at Christmastime.
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