Feet bringing Good News

Friar Jude Winkler sets the circumstances around the passage in the Roman Catholic Lectionary from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah in Babylon at the time when the Israelites were in exile there and Jerusalem had been destroyed. The dominant culture around the Chosen People in exile participated in daily pagan adoration rituals which sparked a longing in the Prophet for the feet of the one to bring Good News. The peace and joy in the restoration of Jerusalem would be realized as the people were called back to faith that God is King. The culture around us presents many priorities and passions to drive daily action. Our action at this time brings Good News when Christmas is served rather than received. The opportunities to have feet which bring good news abound as we gather in groups to celebrate. Isaiah and the psalmist make it clear that the salvation from cultural oppression is for all peoples. The text from the beginning of the Letter to the Hebrews is rich in language which Friar Jude explains would be familiar to an audience of Greek thinkers and philosophers. We understand that the position of Jesus as God and human is being presented. As we wrestle with Good News in this Letter to the Hebrews, we are called to faith in One higher than angels, spiritually perfect beings in Greek thought, and both Son of God and born into the world as human. The adoration of the angels for the One born as human is a deep tension for Greek philosophers of the time who held the spiritual image to be far superior to matter in the flesh. The Prologue to the Gospel of John in the text today proclaims loudly that the ancient understanding of God as the Word spoken to create and bring knowledge is become flesh and in the translation cited by Friar Jude has pitched His tent among us. The birth of Word into flesh is the consequence of the “Yes “of Mary becoming Ark of the Covenant and inviting all who are drawn to celebrate this birth to be carriers of the Good News in our own feet acting in service.