The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with our desire to accept the gifts of the Spirit to activate our love and action as disciples of Christ.
The reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah describes the Peaceful Kingdom and the Ideal Davidic King that await the return of the remnant of Israel and Judah.
* [11:1–16] Isaiah 11 contains a prophecy of the rise of a new Davidic king who will embody the ancient ideal of Davidic kingship (vv. 1–9), an elaboration of that prophecy in a further description of that king’s rule (v. 10), and a prophecy of God’s deliverance of the chosen people from exile and cessation of enmities (vv. 11–16).
* [11:1–9 (10)] Here Isaiah looks forward to a new Davidide who will realize the ancient ideals (see Ps 72). The oracle does not seem to have a particular historical person in mind.
* [11:1] Shoot…stump: the imagery suggests the bankruptcy of the monarchy as embodied in the historical kings, along with the need for a new beginning, to spring from the very origin from which David and his dynasty arose. Jesse: David’s father (cf. 1 Sm 16:1–13).
* [11:2–3] The source of the traditional names of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Septuagint and the Vulgate read “piety” for “fear of the Lord” in its first occurrence, thus listing seven gifts.
* [11:6–9] This picture of the idyllic harmony of paradise is a dramatic symbol of universal peace and justice under the rule of the new Davidic king. The peace and harmony even among carnivores and their natural prey in this description suggest a paradisiac aspect of the reign of the new king. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 72 is a Prayer for Guidance and Support for the King.
* [Psalm 72] A royal Psalm in which the Israelite king, as the representative of God, is the instrument of divine justice (Ps 72:1–4, 12–14) and blessing (Ps 72:5–7, 15–17) for the whole world. The king is human, giving only what he has received from God. Hence intercession must be made for him. The extravagant language is typical of oriental royal courts. (Psalms PSALM 72 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke Jesus rejoices in praise of the Father and cites the Privileges of Discipleship.
* [10:21] Revealed them to the childlike: a restatement of the theme announced in Lk 8:10: the mysteries of the kingdom are revealed to the disciples. See also note on Mt 11:25–27. (Luke, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)
Larry Gillick, S.J. has been pondering how our North American culture wants to have many little Christmases so as to avoid waiting, wondering, longing, being receptive. We then can arrive at Christmas Day, quite exhausted and rather glad Christmas has arrived so it will be over quickly.
No, I am not “humbugging Advent or Christmas. I am all for it of course, but it takes time and longing-space” to be as receptive as the disciples are in today’s little picturing. The revelation of Who Jesus is to them is not complete nor is their understanding of all that has been presented; for them it will take time and space. (Gillick, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “The Seven Gifts of the Spirit,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.
"So, then, the Holy Spirit is the river, and the abundant river, which according to the Hebrews flowed from Jesus in the lands, as we have received it prophesied by the mouth of Isaiah (Isaiah 66:12). This is the great river that flows always and never fails. And not only a river, but also one of copious stream and overflowing greatness, as also David said: 'The stream of the river makes glad the city of God' (Psalm 46:4). For neither is that city, the heavenly Jerusalem, watered by the channel of any earthly river, but that Holy Spirit, proceeding from the fount of life, by a short draught of whom we are satiated, seems to flow more abundantly among those celestial thrones, dominions and powers, angels and archangels, rushing in the full course of the seven virtues of the Spirit. For if a river rising above its banks overflows, how much more does the Spirit, rising above every creature, when he touches the low-lying fields of our minds, as it were, make glad that heavenly nature of the creatures with the larger fertility of his sanctification.
And let it not trouble you that either here it is said 'rivers' (John 7:38) or elsewhere 'seven Spirits,' (Revelation 5:6) for by the sanctification of these seven gifts of the Spirit, as Isaiah said, is signified the fullness of all virtue; the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and godliness, and the Spirit of the fear of God. One, then is the river, but many the channels of the gifts of the Spirit. This river, then, goes forth from the fount of life." (excerpt from ON THE HOLY SPIRIT 1.16) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on 3 Isaiah 11:1-10 that it would be a mistake to think that God wants us to just hang on and endure life’s disappointments until we make it to heaven. The blessings of “that day” aren’t just reserved for later; we can begin experiencing them today (Isaiah 11:1). We, too, can fill the earth with “knowledge of the Lord” as our lives reflect his love and goodness.
As you change, the world around you starts changing. Your peace and joy become contagious, as does your care and concern for the people around you. Your relationships deepen. You feel freer to share your faith and to encourage other people to seek the Lord themselves.
We will all experience the fullness of Isaiah’s prophecy when we finally reach our heavenly home. But how blessed we are that we can begin to experience it this very day—and share it with everyone around us!
“Jesus, help me spread the ‘knowledge of the Lord’ wherever I go today!” (Meditation on 3 Isaiah 11:1-10, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes that the passage from Isaiah anticipates an anointed one, descendent of David who will bring a reign of peace and Providence The seven gifts of the Spirit in Hebrew numerology indicate a perfect multitude of gifts. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus explains that the secrets of the Kingdom are revealed to the anawim, the poor and persecuted in society.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, praises modern science for its emphasis on “practice” and openness to new questions and discoveries, which seems more like faith than the certainty embraced by many Christians.
Under normal circumstances, most scientists are willing to move forward with some degree of not-knowing; in fact, this is what calls them forward and motivates them. Every new discovery is affirmed while openness to new evidence that would tweak or even change the previous “belief” is maintained. In contrast, many religious people insist upon complete “knowing” at the beginning and being certain every step of the way. It actually keeps them more “rational,” “fact-based,” and controlling than the scientists. This is the dead end of most fundamentalist religion, and why it cannot deal with thorny issues in any creative or compassionate way. Law reigns and discernment is unnecessary. (Rohr, n.d.)
We ponder the gifts of the Spirit that we acknowledge as the Way in which we come to welcome Christ into our lives for which the Advent season prepares us.
References
Gillick, L. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/120324.html
Isaiah, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/11?1
Luke, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/10?21
Meditation on 3 Isaiah 11:1-10. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://wau.org/
Psalms PSALM 72 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB Daily Bible Readings. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/72?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Faith of Scientists. CAC Daily Meditations. https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-faith-of-scientists/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=dec3
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