The fullness of joy

The second week of Advent continues our preparation to be renewed by the experience of Incarnation as the gift we accept to be Jesus in the world. The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary celebrate restoration. The Book of the Prophet Isaiah exhorts the exiles in Babylon to hear the call to return to Jerusalem and the renewal of the Covenant with God in a manner through which the transgressions of the past are healed and new vision, freedom and speech will attract those seeking holiness to God. The psalmist praises the steadfast love of God through which the people will experience all that is good. The Way to God will be under Divine protection and the path chosen in relationship with the Divine will lead to joy and peace. The Living with Christwebsite quotes Julian of Norwich, an English mystic of the fourteenth century, “The fullness of joy is to behold God in everything.” Luke, the physician, tells the story of the healing of the paralytic in Capernaum. The determination of the friends of the crippled man to bring him to Jesus is recognized as great faith. Luke points out the attendance of the Scribes and Pharisees in the crowd who are assessing Jesus actions. The forgiveness of the sins of the man puts Jesus action in the same domain as the action of God. Luke is announcing a change in the relationship between God and humanity. The New Kingdom will not depend on human authorities. Healing will be the consequence of living in faith of the loving plan which is carried to people through Jesus Incarnate in our actions.