Commission and Care

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us to act on our commission to be workers in the vineyard of the Lord, especially as we share our support with people who have experienced tragedy and loss.

Halifax Explosion Dec 6, 1917 on the CBC 

The Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah urges us to seek understanding of Divine teaching. 

* [30:20] Teacher: God, who in the past made the people blind and deaf through the prophetic message (6:9–10) and who in his anger hid his face from the house of Jacob (8:17), shall in the future help them to understand his teaching clearly (cf. Jer 31:34). (“Isaiah, CHAPTER 30 | USCCB,” n.d.)

Psalm 147 praises the powerful creator who restores exiled Judah.

* [Psalm 147] The hymn is divided into three sections by the calls to praise in Ps 147:1, 7, 12. The first section praises the powerful creator who restores exiled Judah (Ps 147:1–6); the second section, the creator who provides food to animals and human beings; the third and climactic section exhorts the holy city to recognize it has been re-created and made the place of disclosure for God’s word, a word as life-giving as water. (“Psalms, PSALM 147 | USCCB,” n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew presents the Compassion of Jesus, the Mission of the Twelve and the Commissioning of the Twelve.

 * [9:35] See notes on Mt 4:23–25; Mt 8:1–9:38.

* [9:36] See Mk 6:34; Nm 27:17; 1 Kgs 22:17.

* [9:37–38] This Q saying (see Lk 10:2) is only imperfectly related to this context. It presupposes that only God (the master of the harvest) can take the initiative in sending out preachers of the gospel, whereas in Matthew’s setting it leads into Mt 10 where Jesus does so. (“Matthew, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB,” n.d.)

* [10:1] His twelve disciples: although, unlike Mark (Mk 3:13–14) and Luke (Lk 6:12–16), Matthew has no story of Jesus’ choosing the Twelve, he assumes that the group is known to the reader. The earliest New Testament text to speak of it is 1 Cor 15:5. The number probably is meant to recall the twelve tribes of Israel and implies Jesus’ authority to call all Israel into the kingdom. While Luke (Lk 6:13) and probably Mark (Mk 4:10, 34) distinguish between the Twelve and a larger group also termed disciples, Matthew tends to identify the disciples and the Twelve. Authority…every illness: activities the same as those of Jesus; see Mt 4:23; Mt 9:35; 10:8. The Twelve also share in his proclamation of the kingdom (Mt 10:7). But although he teaches (Mt 4:23; 7:28; 9:35), they do not. Their commission to teach comes only after Jesus’ resurrection, after they have been fully instructed by him (Mt 28:20).

* [10:5–6] Like Jesus (Mt 15:24), the Twelve are sent only to Israel. This saying may reflect an original Jewish Christian refusal of the mission to the Gentiles, but for Matthew it expresses rather the limitation that Jesus himself observed during his ministry. (“Matthew, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB,” n.d.)

Tom Lenz comments that his feelings about the birds took him back to the troubles we are experiencing in the world today. So much of our conflict seems to come from our dualistic minds focusing on the differences of “the other” in their politics, race, religion, sexual orientation, or just about anything that is not like me or my group.

The birds don’t seem to mind that there are over 11,000 species different from themselves. They all just sing together anyway. Each bird sounds beautiful on its own. But together they sound magical.

Perhaps the birds have something to teach us about civility and the importance of diversity. Isaiah says in today’s reading, “No longer will your Teacher hide himself, but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher.” And further Jesus says through Matthew, “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Perhaps the gift of the birds is the Teacher shown to the world in a brilliant demonstration to make himself known and to demonstrate that “The Kingdom” is here and now for all if we only have eyes to see and hearts that are open to “the other.” (“Daily Reflections,” n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “In remembrance of heavenly life,” by Bede the Venerable, 672-735 A.D.

"Why should the lunar reckoning be calculated from the noontide hours, seeing that the moon had not yet been placed in the heavens or gone forth over the earth? On the contrary, none of the feast days of the law began and ended at noon or in the afternoon, but all did so in the evening. Or else perchance it is because sinful Adam was reproached by the Lord 'in the cool of the afternoon' (Genesis 3:8) and thrust out from the joys of Paradise. In remembrance of that heavenly life which we changed for the tribulation of this world, the change of the moon, which imitates our toil by its everlasting waxing and waning, ought specifically to be observed at the hour in which we began our exile. In this way every day we may be reminded by the hour of the moon's changing of that verse, 'a fool changes as the moon' (Sirach 27:11) while the wise man 'shall live as long as the sun' (Psalm 72:5), and that we may sigh more ardently for that life, supremely blessed in eternal peace, when 'the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days.' Indeed, because (as it is written) 'from the moon is the sign of the feast day' (Sirach 43:7), and just as the first light of the moon was shed upon the world at eventide, so in the law it is compulsory that every feast day begin in the evening and end in the evening (see Exodus 12:18). (excerpt from THE RECKONING OF TIME 3.43) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26 comments that as amazing as it was for Jesus to walk the earth and teach us how to live, something even greater has happened: the Holy Spirit has come. Through Baptism he lives in us to “teach [us] everything” and remind all of us of all Jesus has said (John 14:26). He is with us to teach and guide us every day of our lives!

There are many ways to hear and see Jesus, but during Advent, perhaps you can spend some time in prayer before a crèche. As you look upon the scene, ask the Spirit to open your eyes to the presence of the divine Son of God, who came to save you. Or you might read the first few chapters of Luke’s Gospel and ponder the careful preparations God made to reveal his Son to us. God’s promise is true: with your own eyes, you will see your Teacher and Lord! 

“Jesus, thank you for coming to earth so that I could ‘see’ you with the eyes of my heart!” (“Meditation on Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26,” n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Isaiah speaks about restoration of Israel in abundant crops and knowledge. God is blessing their teachers to follow the ways of the Lord. Toward the end of the passage it indicates a restoration from an apocalyptic event. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of an abundant harvest but few labourers. The use of the phrase “Kingdom of Heaven” may indicate a Pharisee as a final editor of this Gospel. Even when God's love and power is revealed, Jesus wanted to invite us into His ministry as co-workers. Friar Jude urges us to bring one person a little bit of Gospel joy and good by offering “I will pray for you” as we transform one heart at a time.

Fr. Mike Schmitz emphasizes the power of the Holy Spirit exemplified in Paul's interaction with those in Ephesus in Acts 19 and reminds us that God wants to fill each of us with the same Holy Spirit so we can walk in his strength. Fr. Mike also highlights the power of sacramentals, the reality of demons acknowledging Jesus, and the importance of removing things in our lives that are harmful. Lastly, as we begin reading the Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians, we get a glimpse of Paul's heart for the people of Corinth. Today's readings are Acts 19, 2 Corinthians 1-2, and Proverbs 28:22-24.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Mirabai Starr who recounts how she came to say yes to God in her life as it is instead of how she imagined it should be. She describes being enamored of the God-intoxicated ones. Those rarified souls who slip into ecstatic states and spontaneously utter poetry. The ones who exude deep stillness, embody equanimity, listen more than they speak. The initiated and the ordained, the monastics…. 

I wanted to be one of them. Until I didn’t.

You do not need to chant all night in a temple in the Himalayas. You don’t have to be the newest incarnation of Mary Magdalene. It is not necessary to read or write spiritual books. You are not required to know the difference between Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism or memorize the Beatitudes. All you have to do to walk the path of the ordinary mystic is to cultivate a gaze of wonder and step onto the road. Keep walking. Rest up, and walk again. Fall down, get up, walk on. Pay attention to the landscape. To the ways it changes and the ways it stays the same. Be alert to surprises and turn with the turning of the seasons. Honor your body, train your mind, and keep your heart open against all odds. Say yes to what is, even when it is uncomfortable or embarrassing or heartbreaking. Hurl your handful of yes into the treetops and then lift your face as the rain of yes drops its grace all over you, all around you, and settles deep inside you. (Rohr, n.d.)

We exhort the Spirit to lead us to our role as disciples of Christ to act on our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader in prayer and service for others.

References

Daily Reflections. (n.d.). Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved December 6, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-december-6-2025 

Isaiah, CHAPTER 30 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 6, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/30?19 

Matthew, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 6, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/10 

Matthew, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 6, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/9 

Meditation on Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26. (n.d.). https://wau.org/meditations/2025/12/06/1440696/

Psalms, PSALM 147 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 6, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/147?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 6, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/mary-and-the-power-of-yes-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Kingdom of Heaven Is at Hand. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 6, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Remember and Prepare

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with our memorial reflections on the local and national disasters that have occurred on Dec 6.

Photo by Susanne Nilsson via flickr.com... Photo shared via Creative Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

 

The reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah shares how God’s people are comforted.

 * [40:3–5] A description of the return of the exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem (Zion). The language used here figuratively describes the way the exiles will take. The Lord leads them, so their way lies straight across the wilderness rather than along the well-watered routes usually followed from Mesopotamia to Israel. Mt 3:3 and gospel parallels adapt these verses to the witness of John the Baptizer to Jesus.1

Psalm 85 is a prayer for the restoration of God’s favour.

 

* [Psalm 85] A national lament reminding God of past favors and forgiveness (Ps 85:2–4) and begging for forgiveness and grace now (Ps 85:5–8). A speaker represents the people who wait humbly with open hearts (Ps 85:9–10): God will be active on their behalf (Ps 85:11–13). The situation suggests the conditions of Judea during the early postexilic period, the fifth century B.C.; the thoughts are similar to those of postexilic prophets (Hg 1:5–11; 2:6–9).2

The reading from the Second Letter of Peter is an exhortation to preparedness as we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.

 * [3:8–10] The scoffers’ objection (2 Pt 3:4) is refuted also by showing that delay of the Lord’s second coming is not a failure to fulfill his word but rather a sign of his patience: God is giving time for repentance before the final judgment (cf. Wis 11:23–26; Ez 18:23; 33:11).3

In the Gospel of Mark, we hear the Proclamation of John the Baptist concerning Jesus.

 * [1:8–9] Through the life-giving baptism with the holy Spirit (Mk 1:8), Jesus will create a new people of God. But first he identifies himself with the people of Israel in submitting to John’s baptism of repentance and in bearing on their behalf the burden of God’s decisive judgment (Mk 1:9; cf. Mk 1:4). As in the desert of Sinai, so here in the wilderness of Judea, Israel’s sonship with God is to be renewed.4

Julie Kalkowski comments that all the readings seem to be specifically crafted to address the reality of our world today. These readings can assist us as we are preparing our hearts to welcome Jesus into our world.  If the events in our world are causing grief and anxiety, read and reread the opening lines from Isaiah about comfort.

 

These are chaotic, uncertain times and I know the only true north in my life is the peace that comes from God. What do I need to do to stay grounded in God so that I can give comfort to others and not add to their unease and worries? In the gospel, Mark describes how people from “the whole of Judean countryside and…. Jerusalem” were traveling to have John baptize them “as they acknowledged their sins.”  What are my sins that I need to acknowledge during this Advent season?  What barriers do I need to dismantle so I can prepare my heart for Jesus’? What is preventing me from becoming someone who can “organize a world according to God’s heart”?5

Frances Murphy, editor of Thinking Faith, writes the need for ‘conversion through remembrance’ about which Pope Francis has spoken recently is also a theme in the readings for the second Sunday of Advent.

 

The pope’s own thinking bears this out many times over. He spoke to Austen Ivereigh this spring, in the comparatively early days of the pandemic, about the importance of memory and of a ‘conversion through remembrance’.[5] ‘We need to remember our roots, our tradition which is packed full of memories,’ he said, because it is only through confronting these memories, in the vein of the First Week of the Spiritual Exercises, that we can find our way forward along the path that the Spirit is calling us. The tension of looking backwards in order to move forwards also finds a place in Fratelli tutti, the pope’s third encyclical, which calls us to human fraternity. Reconciliation has a strong role to play in the vision for the future that the pope articulates: ‘Reparation and reconciliation will give us new life and set us all free from fear.’[6] There is nothing abstract about the reconciliation in which he is calling us to engage. The all-too-concrete horrors that are a stain on the world’s history (and present) are and should be the subjects of our collective remembrance. The Shoah, the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, persecutions, the slave trade and ethnic violence[7] – these are the features of the wilderness, the wasteland in which the way of the Lord must be prepared:6

The practice of remembrance today is drawn to the evil and suffering of the Halifax explosion in 1917 and the horror and loss of the killing of 14 women engineering students in a classroom at the engineering school of l'École Polytechnique in 1989.

 

  Don Schwager quotes “The voice of the one crying in the wilderness,” by Theodoret of Cyr 393-466 A.D.

 

"The true consolation, the genuine comfort and the real deliverance from the iniquities of humankind is the incarnation of our God and Savior. Now the first who acted as herald of this event was the inspired John the Baptist. Accordingly, the prophetic text proclaims the realities that relate to him in advance, for that is what the three blessed Evangelists have taught us and that the most divine Mark has even made the prologue of his work. As for the inspired John, whom the Pharisees asked whether he himself was the Christ, he declared on his part: 'I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord' as the prophet Isaiah said (John 1:23; Isaiah 40:30); I am not God the Word but a voice, for it is as a herald that I am announcing God the Word, who is incarnate. Moreover, he refers to the Gentiles as the 'untrodden [land]' because they have not yet received the prophetic stamp." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON ISAIAH 12.40.3)7

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 1:1-8 comments that during Advent, we too are preparing for the coming of the Messiah, and part of that preparation also involves repentance. Like the people coming to the Jordan River, we know we have sinned and need forgiveness.

 

How does this happen? Repentance requires us to take a spiritual inventory of what needs to change in our lives—of where we have fallen short of God’s commands. We don’t have to do this alone; if we ask him, the Holy Spirit will help us search our hearts and will gently reveal our sins to us. Then, when we see where we have strayed, the Spirit helps us see how deeply we need his grace. That causes us to go to Jesus more often and cling to him more tightly. When we experience God cleansing us of our sins, we can’t help but be filled with thanksgiving for his abundant love and for his unfailing, never-ending mercy.8

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the events of Second Isaiah and the second exodus from Babylon. The author of the Second Letter of Peter is explaining the transformation to a new heaven and a new earth is delayed. Friar Jude connects the Lion symbol for Mark and John the Baptist in Elijah’s role to Jesus sharing His Spirit with us.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that Mary could trustingly carry Jesus, because she knew how to receive spiritual gifts—in fact, the spiritual gift. She offers a profound image of how generativity and fruitfulness break into this world. We have much to learn from her.

 First, we learn that we can’t manage, maneuver, or manipulate spiritual energy. It is a matter of letting go and receiving what is given freely. It is the gradual emptying of our attachment to our small “separate” self so that there is room for new conception and new birth. There must be some displacement before there can be any new “replacement”! Mary is the archetype of such self-displacement and surrender. There is no mention of any moral worthiness, achievement, or preparedness in Mary, only humble trust and surrender. She gives us all, therefore, a bottomless hope in our own little state. If we ourselves try to “manage” God or manufacture our own worthiness by any performance principle whatsoever, we will never give birth to the Christ, but only more of ourselves.9

As we pause to remember the terrors of our history, we seek the humility, trust, and surrender of Mary to prepare for the new heaven and the new earth.

 

References

1	(n.d.). Isaiah, CHAPTER 40 | USCCB. Retrieved December 6, 2020, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/40
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 85 | USCCB. Retrieved December 6, 2020, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/85?9
3	(n.d.). 2 Peter, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. Retrieved December 6, 2020, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2peter/3
4	(n.d.). Mark, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. Retrieved December 6, 2020, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/mark/1:14
5	(n.d.). Daily Reflections - Online Ministries .... Retrieved December 6, 2020, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/120620.html
6	(2020, December 3). Back to our future | Thinking Faith: The online journal of the .... Retrieved December 6, 2020, from https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/back-our-future
7	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 6, 2020, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2020&date=dec6
8	(2020, December 6). 2nd Sunday of Advent - The Word Among Us. Retrieved December 6, 2020, from https://wau.org/meditations/2020/12/06/177539/
9	(2020, December 6). The DNA of Creation — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 6, 2020, from https://cac.org/the-dna-of-creation-2020-12-06/