Word to the Wise
Thursday, December 9, 2010 - Thursday in the Second Week of Advent
[Isaiah 41:13-20 and Matthew 11:11-15]From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force.
Jesus' comment about the Kingdom and violence was borne out in his own time, beginning at his birth with the suffering of the "Holy Innocents!" John the Baptist was martyred during Jesus' lifetime. Jesus' own life ended in violence, and the community after him, when the gospels were being written, suffered violence and persecution. In our own times, violence in the land of Jesus' birth has often prevented pilgrims from being present in Bethlehem to celebrate the feast. (Although I have never been there at Christmas time, I did visit once and it was like having Christmas in the Spring.)
The announcement of Jesus' birth to the shepherds includes the wish for peace for all people of good will. While violence both secular and religious lurks in the background all over our planet, we must not let it be the theme of our celebration, but work to end it for all humanity. Today's scripture alerts us to this undercurrent that we may include it in our Advent prayer. AMEN