The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to seek the end of conflict in our communities and between countries by advocating in faith for life and justice for all God’s Creation.
In the reading from the Prophet Isaiah a prophecy of the Future House of God is presented.
* [2:1] This editorial heading probably introduced the collection of chaps. 2–12, to which chap. 1 with its introduction was added later (see note on 1:2–31).
* [2:2–22] These verses contain two very important oracles, one on the pilgrimage of nations to Mount Zion (vv. 2–4—completed with an invitation to the “house of Jacob,” v. 5), the other on the day of the Lord (see note on Am 5:18), which was probably composed from at least two earlier pieces. Whereas vv. 6–8 indict Judah for trust in superstitious practices and human resources rather than in the Lord, the following verses are directed against humankind in general and emphasize the effect of the “day of the Lord,” the humbling of human pride. This may be taken as a precondition for the glorious vision of vv. 2–4. This vision of Zion’s glorious future, which is also found in a slightly variant form in Mi 4:1–4, is rooted in the early Zion tradition, cultivated in the royal cult in Jerusalem. It celebrated God’s choice of Jerusalem as the divine dwelling place, along with God’s choice of the Davidic dynasty (Ps 68:16–17; 78:67–72; 132:13–18). Highest mountain: the Zion tradition followed earlier mythological conceptions that associate the abode of deities with very high mountains (Ps 48:2–3). The lifting of Mount Zion is a metaphor for universal recognition of the Lord’s authority.
* [2:4] Once the nations acknowledge God as sovereign, they go up to Jerusalem to settle their disputes, rather than having recourse to war. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 2, n.d.)
Psalm 122 is a Song of Praise and Prayer for Jerusalem.
* [Psalm 122] A song of Zion, sung by pilgrims obeying the law to visit Jerusalem three times on a journey. The singer anticipates joining the procession into the city (Ps 122:1–3). Jerusalem is a place of encounter, where the people praise God (Ps 122:4) and hear the divine justice mediated by the king (Ps 122:5). The very buildings bespeak God’s power (cf. Ps 48:13–15). May the grace of this place transform the people’s lives (Ps 122:6–9)! (Psalms, PSALM 122, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant.
* [8:5–13] This story comes from Q (see Lk 7:1–10) and is also reflected in Jn 4:46–54. The similarity between the Q story and the Johannine is due to a common oral tradition, not to a common literary source. As in the later story of the daughter of the Canaanite woman (Mt 15:21–28) Jesus here breaks with his usual procedure of ministering only to Israelites and anticipates the mission to the Gentiles.
* [8:5] A centurion: a military officer commanding a hundred men. He was probably in the service of Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee; see note on Mt 14:1.
* [8:8–9] Acquainted by his position with the force of a command, the centurion expresses faith in the power of Jesus’ mere word.
* [8:10] In no one in Israel: there is good textual attestation (e.g., Codex Sinaiticus) for a reading identical with that of Lk 7:9, “not even in Israel.” But that seems to be due to a harmonization of Matthew with Luke. (Matthew, CHAPTER 8, n.d.)
Eileen Wirth is haunted not only by the image of beating swords into plowshares and Isaiah’s admonition against nations warring against each other but by Edmund Burke’s classic assertion that all that is needed for the triumph of evil is for good men (and women) to do nothing.
I’m more aware than ever of how easily conflicts arise between nations. This is especially true when both sides have grievances and no reservoir of affection for each other to mitigate the conflict. Too often, we like to cling to our grudges. We can forgive a lot more easily than we forget. We’re just waiting for the next provocation to come out swinging.
I can’t think of a greater challenge for the world in general and us in particular than genuinely resolving differences peacefully. Putin will pay no attention to us but we can make the difficult choices required to resolve our own differences with people. As the hymn says, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.” (Wirth, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Welcoming the Lord Jesus with expectant faith and humility,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"When the Lord promised to go to the centurion's house to heal his servant, the centurion answered, 'Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.' By viewing himself as unworthy, he showed himself worthy for Christ to come not merely into his house but also into his heart. He would not have said this with such great faith and humility if he had not already welcomed in his heart the One who came into his house. It would have been no great joy for the Lord Jesus to enter into his house and not to enter his heart. For the Master of humility both by word and example sat down also in the house of a certain proud Pharisee, Simon, and though he sat down in his house, there was no place in his heart. For in his heart the Son of Man could not lay his head" (Matthew 8:20). (excerpt from SERMON 62.1) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Isaiah 2:1-5 comments that sometimes the call to “remember the sabbath day” feels like something we have to do (Exodus 20:8). Today’s first reading can help us remember that this is also something we get to do.
Even as you read this, people from all over the earth are joining to worship the Lord. Next time you go to church—or even if all you can do is gather with a few other believers—remember these words from today’s psalm response: “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord” (Psalm 122). Imagine the Jewish pilgrims singing this song as they climbed Mount Zion to enter into God’s presence in the Temple. Then praise God for inviting you to join in that song of praise, right in your own parish!
“Jesus, let me never forget what an honor it is to worship you!” (Meditation on Isaiah 2:1-5, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes the connection between the readings that occur in the Advent season. Today, Isaiah declares Jerusalem as the place to bring peace to the world and Matthew shares the outreach of Jesus in response to the faith of the Roman Centurion who shows concern for his servant and Jesus' possible ritual impurity. Friar Jude reminds us of faith that changes reality and is the key to bringing peace to all the nations.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, describes how mystics and sincere seekers discover “evidence for things not seen”.
The search for truth, the search for authentic love, and the search for God are finally the same search. I would rather have “one who lays down one’s life for one’s friend” (John 15:13) by sincere seeking, demanding scholarship, and authentic service, than those who are on no search, do no mental or emotional work, and have no open heart for the world, but just want to personally “go to heaven.” We have coddled this individualistic non-Christianity for far too long, and with no encouragement from Jesus whatsoever.
The very shape, possibility, and meaning of evidence is quickly broadening. Religious people would be wise to get on board. Frankly, I think it is what the Christian desert fathers and mothers, mystics and saints, meant by concrete spiritual “practices,” and what Eastern religions meant by “skillful means.” Such “doing” will give us the kind of evidence that cannot be denied. It moves us into the world of action and beyond the mind—to a place where we now “believe” because we know for ourselves. (Rohr, n.d.)
We ponder the prospect of turning our swords into ploughshares and spears into pruning hooks and implore the Spirit to inspire our steps toward truth, love, and action to transform conflict into companionship.
References
Isaiah, CHAPTER 2. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/2?
Matthew, CHAPTER 8. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/8?5
Meditation on Isaiah 2:1-5. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/12/02/1144048/
Psalms, PSALM 122. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/122?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Evidence for Things Not Seen. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/evidence-for-things-not-seen/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=dec2
Wirth, E. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries.Retrieved December 2, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/120224.html
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