Word to the Wise
Saturday, December 9, 2017 - 1st Week of Advent - Sat
[Isa 30:19-21, 23-26 and Matt 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8]SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2017 SATURDAY IN THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT [Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26 and Matthew 9:35 - 10:1, 5a, 6-8] The Lord will give you the bread you need and the water for which you thirst. No longer will your Teacher hide himself, but with your own eyes you shall see your teacher, while from behind, a voice shall sound in your ears: "This is the way, walk in it," when you would turn to the. Right or the left." [Isaiah] The majestic and comforting words of Isaiah speak of the Teacher who was hidden from Israel but will become visible. Yet, the voice will come from behind us! He speaks of the Lord who will give us the bread we need and the water for which we thirst. The Christian community would look back on these words and see in them the richness of God's revelation in Jesus. Isaiah's words are words of longing. For the Christian community, these would be words of understanding how God has kept the promises of Isaiah. God became visible in Jesus. The Holy Spirit would guide us in the right way. It can be difficult in this season to keep the broader vision of Isaiah in mind. Even the ordinary "duties" of Christmas gatherings and gifts become overwhelming for anyone who is suffering major challenges of health, employment, loss of a loved one. One reason why I continually call attention to the "manger scene" is that it makes visible the story of God's promises through Isaiah. What is our Teacher trying to tell us? We do receive the bread we need in Eucharistic celebration, but we also receive the strength from our Teacher to continue in the right way. I often call the attention of students agonizing over decisions about the future to the way of the Teacher. We have a sure guide in the teachings of Jesus in this season. The way is there and the voice comes to us from the Spirit of truth whom the child in the manger continually sends. AMEN