Strength in Shalom

Shalom is the word which describes the time of peace in the texts from the Prophet Isaiah in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today. The use of the word in modern Israel as a greeting and farewell only scratches the surface of how the word has beenused in Scripture. Friar Jude Winkler comments on the deep healing and restoration that Isaiah promises will be shalom between natural enemies such as the lion and the lamb and the Jews and the Gentiles. The gifts of God brought to action by the messianic ruler from the stump of Jesse are the basis for the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. These are enumerated by Christians as wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, fear of the Lord and piety. Friar Jude understands strength to be the force sometimes necessary to slay the wicked. Another understanding of strength in Isaiah is that of the suffering servant who brings the Presence of God through the strength of self giving. Dennis Hamm, S.J., ofCreighton University, discusses how the Gospel from Luke today is Jesus joyous proclamation that the promises of the prophet Isaiah and hopes of the psalmist are revealed, to the childlike, in the Person of Jesus. He notes that the critics will declare that the world is not at shalom today. We have the Promise and we know the Way. Our trust in God is manifest as we live energized by the gifts of the Spirit to act with the Love, and justice for the outcast that Isaiah understands will have all live together in shalom