Revealed to the childlike

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today illustrate the long standing connection to Life from the Spirit that our Tradition has recognized as revelation from God for almost three millennia.

Flowing for Life

The Prophet Isaiah expresses the shalom in our relationship with nature and the downtrodden that flows from the gifts of the Spirit.

* [11:1–9 (10)] Here Isaiah looks forward to a new Davidide who will realize the ancient ideals (see Ps 72). The oracle does not seem to have a particular historical person in mind.

In the Gospel from Luke, Jesus praises God as He declares to the disciples how blessed they are with revelation of the Love of God.

* [10:21] Revealed them to the childlike: a restatement of the theme announced in Lk 8:10: the mysteries of the kingdom are revealed to the disciples. See also note on Mt 11:25–27.

Diane Jorgensen shares that these readings evoke hope for sure, but also doubt and cynicism…and a longing for the peace and justice and flourishing that the prophet Isaiah promises, and which resound in today’s Psalm.

The one we had been waiting for has come…. and he lived among us, died and is now with us for all time. Now we, the Body of Christ, is the one we are waiting for. This advent let’s pray in hope for this Body of Christ. We pray that we may be voices of hope. We pray that God make find a home in us that we may notice and bless and nourish every movement towards peace, justice, compassion, reconciliation; every moment that leads us back to God

Don Schwager quotes “The Seven Gifts of the Spirit,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.

"So, then, the Holy Spirit is the river, and the abundant river, which according to the Hebrews flowed from Jesus in the lands, as we have received it prophesied by the mouth of Isaiah (Isaiah 66:12). This is the great river that flows always and never fails. And not only a river, but also one of copious stream and overflowing greatness, as also David said: 'The stream of the river makes glad the city of God' (Psalm 46:4). For neither is that city, the heavenly Jerusalem, watered by the channel of any earthly river, but that Holy Spirit, proceeding from the fount of life, by a short draught of whom we are satiated, seems to flow more abundantly among those celestial thrones, dominions and powers, angels and archangels, rushing in the full course of the seven virtues of the Spirit. For if a river rising above its banks overflows, how much more does the Spirit, rising above every creature, when he touches the low-lying fields of our minds, as it were, make glad that heavenly nature of the creatures with the larger fertility of his sanctification.    "And let it not trouble you that either here it is said 'rivers' (John 7:38) or elsewhere 'seven Spirits,' (Revelation 5:6) for by the sanctification of these seven gifts of the Spirit, as Isaiah said, is signified the fullness of all virtue; the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and godliness, and the Spirit of the fear of God. One, then is the river, but many the channels of the gifts of the Spirit. This river, then, goes forth from the fount of life." (excerpt from ON THE HOLY SPIRIT 1.16)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Isaiah 11:1-10 reminds that when we look at a nativity scene, we will see hay and animals. And right in the center of it all is Jesus, the Son of God, lying in a manger. Who would have thought that he would choose to make his glorious dwelling in such a humble setting?

Just as he came to an unkempt stable, Jesus is happy to come into your messy home. Just as he was surrounded by the sounds of noisy animals, he is there in the midst of crying children or difficult relationships. Just as he came to a displaced family huddled in a cave, he is there when we feel isolated or afraid. He comes to prison cells and hospital rooms just as readily as he comes to families gathered around the table and worshippers gathered around the altar. Jesus is always Emmanuel, God with us, in times of joy and times of sorrow. He comes and fills them with his glory.

Friar Jude Winkler expands our understanding of the perfect number of gifts from the Holy Spirit connected to the root of Jesse. After a retreat, our peace is sometimes sensed by wild animals. Friar Jude comments that the mysteries are revealed to the anawim, the most ready to accept them. Often the rich are their own gods. In contrast, little ones can sense the truth and participate in the mystery by being with Jesus.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, interprets John 1.1-11 using the concept of a Blueprint that was the true light that enlightens all human beings who have come into the world. So, the true light, Consciousness, or Love itself precedes and connects and feeds all of our smaller lights and attractions.

This Light/Life/Love shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it. “The visible galaxies we see strewn across space are nothing more than strings of luminous flotsam drifting on an invisible sea of dark matter,” writes astrophysicist Adam Frank. [1] Franciscan Sister Ilia Delio explains: “Scientists speculate that dark energy comprises about 73 percent of the total mass-energy of the universe and accelerates expansion of the universe.” [2] Somehow the universe is an interplay between light and darkness.

In resonance with Fr Richard, Isaiah, and Jesus in Luke  lay a wonderful foundation for a new consciousness and a new cosmology and a different notion of religion connecting to this flow of the Spirit.

References

1	(n.d.). Isaiah, chapter 11 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved December 4, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/11
2	(n.d.). Luke chapter 10 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved December 4, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/lk/10:52
3	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved December 4, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
4	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 4, 2018, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
5	(n.d.). Mass Readings and Catholic .... Retrieved December 4, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/
6	(2017, December 30). 2018 Daily Meditations - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 4, 2018, from https://cac.org/2018-daily-meditations/