Word to the Wise
Friday, December 16, 2016 - 3rd Week of Advent - Fri
[Isa 56:1-3a, 6-8 and John 5:33-36]Let not the foreigner say, when he would join himself to the Lord, "The Lord will surely exclude me from his people."....For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. [Isaiah]
One of the terms that I hear in regard to just about anything nowadays is "globalization." As I understand it, it means that much economic, political and religious life is no longer confined to particular political, ethnic or even theological borders. This has the potential to cause local violence as well as international violence when people begin to fear the loss of identity and heritage to a world-wise "homogenization." In our own country, "White Nationalism" is an example. This fear underlies much of the debate about immigration in our country, especially from non-English speaking or non-Anglo-Saxon regions. The problem is not new. Prejudice against Irish, Italians, Chinese and Japanese immigrants is well-documented, not to mention against Native Americans. The problem existed in biblical times as well. When the exiles returned from Babylon, one of the leaders demanded that any Jew who had married a non-Jew divorce that spouse and marry a Jew.
The words from Isaiah in today's first scripture directly challenge the prejudices that pit one country, or political group or economic interest or religious faith against another. Our attention, especially in Advent is directed to the universal impact of the birth of Jesus. Salvation is not confined to one group in one country speaking one language. The Second Vatican Council reminds us that we are not simply "saved" as individuals but as a human race. Our baptismal status does not allow us to boast but commits us to sharing the Good News of Jesus' birth and welcoming "foreign nations" to come and join us in this effort. This is globalization of the greatest kind. If we treat anyone with contempt, we declare ourselves enemies of God's plan. AMEN
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