Word to the Wise
Wednesday, December 11, 2024 - 2nd Week of Advent - Wed
[Isa 40:25-31 and Matt 11:28-30]Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, they that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles' wings; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint. [Isaiah] "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy and my burden light." [Matthew]
Energy for the tired and rest from effort - which one do we need the most? We may need either one at different times. Does our faith connect us with either one? In this season of Advent, a season of hope and expectation, are we energized or are we exhausted? Isaiah and Jesus offer us help at either end.
Isaiah was speaking to a community in exile that needed hope to renew itself for a return to Israel from Babylon. Jesus spoke to subsistence farmers, shepherds and fishermen and their wives and children who struggled to make a living.
Pope Francis has spoken to both needs. "Missionary disciples" are challenged to run and not grow weary so that they can bring "the sick and the wounded" to a welcoming church. Part of the job of the missionary discipleship is to make sure the church IS a welcoming church. Do we turn away the couple looking for a place to stay in Bethlehem? Have we built a wall around the nativity scene? Would we turn away those three strange characters from the East who point to the star as their guide? Are the shepherds kept at a safe distance? Can Advent be not only a season of hope and expectation - for energy and rest - but also a season of WELCOME to both the enthused and the exhausted? AMEN