The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today exhort us to overcome fear by embracing the message of liberation that John the Baptist foretells in Jesus Way.
The reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah describes 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 praises the Greatness and the Goodness of God.
* [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 proclaims Jesus’ Testimony to John the Baptist.
* [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.)
David Crawford asks how do we make ready our hearts in a world filled with violence and chaos? How can we fix the many problems screaming for solutions? It can be easy to feel overwhelmed and depressed by the world around us, even more so when many of us are suffering personal stress, pain and grief.
That centuries-old message resonates today. God is still merciful, good, mighty and miraculous. God still cares for you, individually, and for the world He made. As we make ready our hearts, I offer a prayer that draws from today’s Alleluia verse and from my favorite Christmas song.*
Lord, let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior. Bring your peace into our violence, bid our hungry souls be filled. Wrap our injured flesh around You. Heal us and save us. Amen.
* In case you are interested, the song is “Welcome to Our World,” by Chris Rice. (Crawford, 2023)
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 just as the exiles couldn’t foresee how God’s long-term plan would unfold, neither can we. We know that Jesus will come again to put things right once and for all. However, we simply can’t imagine how that will happen and what the world will look like when it is finally accomplished. Sometimes we may even doubt that it will ever come to pass.
We can’t peer into the future, but we can place our hope in the God who keeps his promises. One day—we don’t know when—we will see the final ending of God’s story of salvation. And we will know “that the hand of the Lord has done this” (Isaiah 41:20). So, like the Jewish exiles of so long ago, let the prophet’s words reassure you. Whatever your situation now, believe that God is doing something beyond your wildest expectations—and he will accomplish it!
“Father, I place my hope in your promises.” (Meditation on Isaiah 41:13-20, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes that God tells the people suffering in the Babylonian exile that they are not forsaken and they will be raised up. John the Baptist is recognized as a great prophet who will be accepted and rejected by force. Friar Jude reminds us that the Baptist is not the reincarnation of Elijah but plays his role.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Arab-American poet Naomi Shihab Nye who recalls a transformative, unexpected occasion of generous acceptance.
And then the airline broke out free beverages … two little girls from our flight ran around serving us all apple juice and they were covered with powdered sugar, too. And I noticed my new best friend—by now we were holding hands—had a potted plant poking out of her bag, some medicinal thing, with green furry leaves. Such an old country traveling tradition. Always carry a plant. Always stay rooted to somewhere. (Rohr, 2023)
We embrace the message of Peace to abate the tension between apprehension at the message of prophets and the assertion of God that we must “Fear Not”.
References
Crawford, D. (2023, December 14). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved December 14, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/121423.html
Isaiah, CHAPTER 41 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 14, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/41?13
Matthew, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 14, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/11?11
Meditation on Isaiah 41:13-20. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved December 14, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/12/14/848351/
Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 14, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/145?1
Rohr, R. (2023, December 14). Kindness at Gate A-4 — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 14, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/kindness-at-gate-a-4/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 14, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=dec14
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