By Father Paul Nord, O.S.B.
Sunday Scripture
First Reading: Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10; Response: Psalm 146:6-10; Second Reading: James 5:7-10; Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11
This passage from Isaiah uses imagery to describe God’s life-giving power. The desert, “the parched land,” and the steppe are depicted as blooming “with abundant flowers.” This is not normal for such land. God gives life in unexpected ways and places. Likewise, he will also give life to his people in surprising ways.
We are exhorted to trust in the LORD God and to help one another to be courageous. “Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak.” “Those whose hearts are frightened” should trust God. Through the prophet, God commands us to reassure those who are frightened: “Be strong, fear not!” Why should we “fear not?” Because God “comes with vindication.” God “comes with divine recompense.” God is acting to save his people — our salvation is arriving.
The remaining verses develop this theme with an abundance of imagery. First is a group of four — the blind, the deaf, the lame and the mute. This should engage our imagination: “the eyes of the blind … opened!” and “the ears of the deaf … cleared (unstopped)!” The next two images are equally evocative: “the lame leap like a stag (deer)!” and “the tongue of the mute will sing!” Each of these four images describe God’s promised healing for those who suffer. The last two images depict rejoicing by those who are healed — leaping and singing! Those of us who have never been deprived of any of these four faculties might marvel at the joy of those whose suffering has been relieved.
“Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing.” This probably describes the return of Israelites who had been taken captive during Assyria’s invasions of Israel and Judah. Recall Isaiah 11:16: “There shall be a highway for the remnant of his people that is left from Assyria.” Today’s Isaiah passage depicts celebration after many years of suffering: “they will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee.”
Today’s Responsorial Psalm is a typical “Praise Psalm.” This Psalm (146) both begins and ends with “Alleluia!” — which means “Praise Yahweh” (the LORD). “Alleluia” is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew “Hallelujah!” The remaining verses give reasons to praise the LORD. The Lord God provides for the oppressed, the hungry, captives, the blind, those “bowed down,” strangers, the fatherless, and the widow. God brings justice to those in need. Further, “The LORD shall reign forever.” We expect that the Lord God’s justice will triumph at the end of time. On that blessed day, all earthly injustices will come to an end.
The letter of James gives this exhortation: “Be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord.” We Christians look to Christ’s second coming with eager hope, and yet we must also be patient. We announce and live Christ’s Gospel in this broken world, until Christ comes again.
James uses imagery to strengthen his call for patience: “See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains.” Then James tells us: “Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand.” This is a message of urgency. We must be ready for Christ to return soon. But we must be patient as we wait. These two elements of Christian faith are held in tension with each other. Both are essential: urgency and patience.
As we await Christ’s return, we should live in peace with each other. Quarrels within the Christian community are a counter-witness to Christ’s Gospel. So, James exhorts: “Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another, that you may not be judged.”
Today’s Gospel again features John the Baptist. In Eastern Christianity, John is often called “the Forerunner.” John comes before Christ, preparing his way. Thus, John features prominently in our Advent readings. Advent is a season of anticipation and preparation.
John the Baptist sends his disciples to ask Jesus: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” John knows that his mission is to prepare for the arrival of God’s kingdom. But not all of God’s plan of salvation has been revealed to John, so he asks.
Jesus replies: “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk … the dead are raised.” Jesus’ miraculous works are evidence that he comes from God. Jesus points to his actions as witnessing to his identity as God’s Messiah, sent to redeem humanity.
Jesus challenges the people who went “out in the desert” to see John the Baptist. When they saw John, they did not see “a reed swayed by the wind.” John had the boldness of a true prophet — he was not weak like a reed. Also, John was not “dressed in fine clothing,” but rather dressed in the rough clothing of a penitent.
“Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist.” Jesus affirms that John was a great prophet, but he says: “yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” John showed before (11:3) that he did not fully understand God’s plan for salvation through Jesus Christ. But those who belong to the kingdom of heaven have been granted this grace — to know and receive salvation in Christ.
The “greatness” of those belong to the kingdom of God is something received as a gift from God. Jesus says to his disciples in Matthew 13:11-17: “knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted … blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” During this Advent season, we give thanks for so great a gift.