The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to reflect on our response to the need in our community for the Hebrew understanding, of “go’el” and the bravery of the Baptist to call for transformation.
The Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah proclaims The Liberator of Israel.
* [41:14] Redeemer: in Hebrew, go’el, one who frees others from slavery and avenges their sufferings; cf. Lv 25:48; Dt 19:6, 12. Cf. note on Ru 2:20. (“Isaiah, CHAPTER 41 | USCCB,” n.d.)
Psalm 145 declares God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship.
* [Psalm 145] A hymn in acrostic form; every verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Acrostic poems usually do not develop ideas but consist rather of loosely connected statements. The singer invites all to praise God (Ps 145:1–3, 21). The “works of God” make God present and invite human praise (Ps 145:4–7); they climax in a confession (Ps 145:8–9). God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship (Ps 145:10–20), a major theme in the literature of early Judaism and in Christianity. (“Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB,” n.d.)
The Gospel of Matthew declares Jesus’ Testimony to John.*
* [11:11] John’s preeminent greatness lies in his function of announcing the imminence of the kingdom (Mt 3:1). But to be in the kingdom is so great a privilege that the least who has it is greater than the Baptist.
* [11:12] The meaning of this difficult saying is probably that the opponents of Jesus are trying to prevent people from accepting the kingdom and to snatch it away from those who have received it.
* [11:13] All the prophets and the law: Matthew inverts the usual order, “law and prophets,” and says that both have prophesied. This emphasis on the prophetic character of the law points to its fulfillment in the teaching of Jesus and to the transitory nature of some of its commandments (see note on Mt 5:17–20). (“Matthew, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB,” n.d.)
As a mother (and grandmother/great-grandmother), Nancy Shirley wonders what Mary thought about her future.
Those of us who are parents remember how many questions arose as we first thought about our children’s futures. Even before we saw their beautiful, wrinkled faces, we anticipated. Who would they look like? Will they be healthy? What will they be when they grow up? Did Mary deal with that myriad of questions? Did Mary have any idea of her baby’s future? Did she know the sacrifice He would make for us? So many questions in my mind of how a young, innocent girl could take on this enormous responsibility seemingly without anxiety, rather with a pure, open heart. There is only one explanation: unwavering FAITH! The same unwavering Faith that John demonstrated throughout his ministry and the same Faith that we are challenged to embrace not only during Advent but every day of our lives.
This song represents the essence of Mary so clearly that I must have it here for a December reflection: Hail Mary, Gentle Woman
Since we are close to the Nativity, I have to include my favorite version of Mary, Did You Know? It captures the many questions we have as parents about our children’s future in the unique circumstances Mary faced. (Shirley, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes The Kingdom of Heaven, by Hilary of Poitiers (315-367 AD)
"What violence (Matthew 11:12)? People did not believe in John the Baptist. The works of Christ were held to be of no importance. His torment on the cross was a stumbling block. 'Until now' prophecy has been dormant. But now the law is fulfilled. Every prediction is finished. The spirit of Elijah is sent in advance through John's words. Christ is proclaimed to some and acknowledged by others. He is born for some and loved by others. The violent irony is that his own people rejected him, while strangers accepted him. His own people speak ill of him, while his enemies embrace him. The act of adoption offers an inheritance, while the family rejects it. Sons refuse to accept their father's last will, while the slaves of the household receive it. This is what is meant by the phrase 'the kingdom of heaven suffers violence' (Matthew 11:12). Earlier expectations are being torn apart. The glory that was pledged to Israel by the patriarchs, which was announced by the prophets and which was offered by Christ, is now being seized and carried off by the Gentiles, through their faith." (excerpt from the commentary ON MATTHEW 11.7) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Isaiah 41:13-20 comments that the Israelites felt weak, hardly the kind of people who could “thresh the mountains and crush them” (41:15). But God promised to strengthen them for the journey back home.
That all may see and know, observe and understand, That the hand of the Lord has done this (43:20). Finally, know that as he refreshes you, God will also make you into a living witness to his love, just as the Israelites were. When people see you, they will see God’s own presence and strength and goodness!
“Lord, you are my help, my strength, my source of life. I put my trust in you.” (“Meditation on Isaiah 41:13-20,” 2025)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the continuation in Second Isaiah of the Lord speaking to the whole Israel that the Lord will redeem them. This message is usually in the third person but here the first person indicates intimate involvement of God in their rescue. Friar Jude notes the role of John the Baptist, the new Elijah, who functions to bring people back to God by preparing people for the Messiah like Elijah did for the Day of the Lord.
Fr. Mike Schmitz notes how Felix remained unmoved by Paul's teaching despite being compelled by it initially, showing us that unless we act on what we believe, there is no change. As we begin reading St.Paul's letter to the Galatians today, Fr. Mike highlights Paul's explanation of the role of Jewish law in the Age of the Church, clarifying that through baptism, we are all one in Christ and heirs to the promises of the Father regardless of our backgrounds.
James Finley considers how a dark night can transform our humanity and introduces spiritual director Therese DesCamp who has witnessed within herself an ongoing desire to serve others, even in the midst of a dark night.
But if I’m experiencing a dark night, I will still be able to see the humorous side of life. I will be capable of laughter. I may feel deeply the sadness, confusion, and horror of these times—and I may not expect things to get much better. But I can laugh, and most often at myself. I take myself lightly.
Even more clearly, I will be capable of compassion. The dark night does not reduce our capacity to care for others. Rather, it increases that capacity. In fact, some days, caring for others may be the only thing that relieves the suffering of having lost my bearings.
Dark nights don’t involve a diminution of self, but rather a shift in focus away from the ego and onto others. I may no longer have the consolation of feeling like I’m a good person or experiencing the closeness to the “God” that I used to know so intimately. But daily life will be filled with the awareness of the preciousness of all life…. The dark night heightens our connections to all living beings. In a dark night, I feel deeply the sorrow—as well as the joy—of the other. It may be dark in here, but it’s full of love. [2] (Finley, n.d.)
Father David Gierlach offers an Advent Sermon on John the Baptist and the “refining fire of compassion”.
We seek the enlightenment of the Spirit as we apply our Baptismal Anointing as priest, prophet, and leader to our actions to heal and console as spiritual heirs to Jesus Way.
References
Finley, J. (n.d.). Becoming Light for Others. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 11, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/becoming-light-for-others/
Isaiah, CHAPTER 41 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 11, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/41?13
Matthew, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 11, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/11?11
Meditation on Isaiah 41:13-20. (2025, December 11). Word Among Us. https://wau.org/meditations/2025/12/11/1443671/
Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 11, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/145?1
Schwager, D. (n.d.). He Is Elijah Who Is to Come. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 11, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
Shirley, N. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved December 11, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-december-11-2025
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