Word to the Wise
Tuesday, December 11, 2018 - 2nd Week of Advent - Tues
[Isa 40:1-11 and Matt 18:12-14]Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom and leading the eyes with care. [Isaiah] If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. [Matthew]
The words from Isaiah today begin that part of his prophecy that is traditionally called "the book of comfort." Scripture scholars refer to it as "Second Isaiah" [Chs 40-55] because the words are addressed to the exiles toward the end of their captivity and are probably by a different hand, but one working in continuity with the first. Here the emphasis is on challenging the exiles to stay faithful to God's covenant because delivery will come in the form of the Persian empire that would eventually conquer Babylon and send the exiles back. The emphasis, therefore, is on hope and comfort, a mood we can experience if we listen to the first part of Handel's MESSIAH!
Bringing back exiles and comforting them is something I experience often in the Advent/Christmas season. Many are those who come to the sacrament of reconciliation in this season who have been away from the church for a long time. It is not just the comfort of being able to fully receive the Eucharist (important as that is), it is the comfort of God's tender mercy, so eloquently imaged in Isaiah and in the gospel scripture from Matthew today. The evangelist, Luke, in reporting those words makes them part of the lead-up to the parable of the Prodigal Son! The tender mercy is personified in the infant to be born as the Messiah, but those who are reconciled now become active participants in the anticipation. All of us can speak to those whom we know who are "exiled," for whatever reason, and call them to comfort and mercy. This is surely putting skin on promise and fulfillment. This is surely preparing the way of the Lord! AMEN