Word to the Wise
Monday, December 13, 2021 - 3rd Week of Advent - Mon
[Num 24:2-7, 15-17a and Matt 21:23-27]I see him, though not now; I behold him, though not near: a star shall advance from Jacob, and a staff shall rise from Israel. [Numbers]
DECEMBER 13 ST. LUCY, virgin and martyr
Balaam was a prophet hired by Israel's foes to curse the Israelites. Instead, he wound up blessing them and uttering a prophecy which the early Christian community interpreted as foreseeing the Messiah. Jesus' foes simply could not "see" him as a Messiah, no matter how many miracles he performed or words that he uttered. He was a charismatic wandering preacher, a former carpenter from Nazareth. In today's gospel scripture, Jesus is confronted by the chief priests and elders over his actions in "cleansing the temple." He, in turn, confronts them with their disbelief. Balaam changed his mind, but they could not.
In Dickens' famous Christmas story, Scrooge was given a vision of Christmases past, present and future. It took something very strong to change his way of seeing the revelation and hope of Christ in Tiny Tim. Perhaps some action of ours can overcome the gloom and skepticism of someone for whom the birth of Christ is just one more holiday. St. Lucy, whose feast day is today, is patroness of the blind. Perhaps we can invoke her intercession in helping to get others to see what Advent/Christmas/Epiphany really means! AMEN