04/12/2023

We have to think hard about the reading from Isaiah that is chosen for this first Monday in Advent. If we are to find predictions about the Messiah in his prayer we have to bear in mind that today's passage is more wishful thinking than it is an accurate prediction of what the Lord will provide for us, the many generations of Isaiah's future listeners.

Not one of the generations that have followed the life and death of this prophet has been able to say "Come, let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord" in the promised land. The History of Palestine has continued to be dominated by warfare as it is at this moment .

The Old Testament images of peace and holiness are always accompanied by reminders of warfare and the suffering of servants. We the slaves of God have always failed in bringing peace to the World. We all feel that it is an impossible task. 

So impossible that for more than a thousand years the leaders of our Church acted as rulers of kingdoms located here on earth only for us to be left to defend the "widows mite" being used to shore up the crumbling walls of magnificent palaces and  buildings rather than proclaim the truth of the "Resurrection".

Our Saviour did not ask for Legions of Angels to defend him on the day of battle that began in Gethsemane and was seemingly ended by "Eli, Eli Lama Sabachthani". 

In today's gospel, military power acknowledges the superiority of Jesus and explains why this is so. Has there ever been a war leader who has ever done this? St Leo the Great is credited with stopping Atilla from sacking Rome but he did so as the ruler of Rome not as a priest guarding the sacraments.

 It has taken many centuries for our Church to acknowledge the words of Jesus, uttered in public at his trial to that representative of Political/Military power, the one who held his life in his hands, but its primary purpose is still confused by the centuries of worldly power and unchristian living. We who are awaiting the birth of the Son of God are trying to prepare ourselves to celebrate in Holiness the arrival of the baby who is to grow in human time to be king of the eternal kingdom that is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

This Kingdom has never been found on Earth.

Dear Lord, please help me to find you in prayer. Let me remain in your Love with the integrity to believe what I say and to align myself with your will . Inspire all the fighters engaged in war to deny their commanders and refuse to continue killing. Each individual one of us among our billions can choose to do your will and you continue to give us the grace to do so. May your mother continue to support all the children you passed on to her and may we and the souls of the faithful departed find forgiveness for our sins. Come Lord, Jesus, Come!