Mk 13:33-37 Dec. 3
The prophet Isaiah is one of the three central scriptural figures of the Advent season, along with St. John the Baptist and the Blessed Virgin Mary. He lived approximately 700 years before the time of Christ. The prophet heard a call from God, perhaps even in the Temple in Jerusalem, to be a voice of God for the chosen people during a very challenging time in their history. He warned the people of Israel that they were not being faithful to God’s holy covenant. If they did not reform their ways, a severe punishment would come in the form of the Assyrians who would conquer Judah and Jerusalem, and exile most of the Israelites. Isaiah angered many with his tough message and stern warnings. As a result, the prophet was harshly persecuted by his own people.
One significant reason for Isaiah’s major role in the Advent season is that several of his messages turned out to be more prophetic than anyone could have imagined. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, he also spoke with remarkable clarity about the coming of Christ.
In today’s first reading, Isaiah speaks from a place of great pain and anguish. The Assyrians had already conquered and plundered Israel. After some years, the people become dejected and feel abandoned by God. Their world has been turned upside down. They are living in a foreign land under the thumb of pagan kings who have no respect for their beliefs and practices. The people of God long to return home.
Isaiah, speaking from this place of anguish, lets out a cry to God, “Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, with the mountains quaking before you, while you wrought awesome deeds we could not hope for, such as they had not heard of from of old.”
Some 700 years later, God would answer that prayer in a most spectacular fashion, going way beyond what anyone could ever imagine. God would indeed rend the heavens and come down. This time, he would not send a mere human prophet, judge or king. God’s merciful and tender love would lead him to send his only begotten Son, co-eternal with him from all ages. Our heavenly Father heard the cry of his children around the world who were lost, seeking meaning in life, frustrated in their slavery to sin and looking for proof of God’s love. “And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.”
Part of our efforts to prepare for the celebration of the coming of Christ some 2,000 years ago should include spending some time pondering how God spent 2,000 years of salvation history, beginning with Abraham, preparing the world for Jesus’ entrance into this world as a poor, humble babe. Isaiah begged God to “wrought awesome deeds.” What more could the Father have done for us?
Furthermore, the Gospel today teaches us that the same Lord and Savior who came and dwelt among us will come again at an unexpected time. We often refer to this moment as the Second Coming. Jesus warns us: “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.”
Consequently, Advent is also a time for us to prepare for the Second Coming of Christ. At that time, Jesus will exercise a final judgment upon the whole world. When that epic moment arrives, we will not have any more time to get our act together, repent of our sins or pledge our love to his Sacred Heart. At that time, every human being will know his/her final destiny — heaven or hell. There will be no other options. This stark reality demands our serious attention at this moment in history.
Am I prepared for the Second Coming? If Jesus were to bring my life to an end this day, would I be prepared? Advent is a time to ask these questions and take them very seriously. Advent is a time to make changes in our lives in order to live radically with Christ and for Christ. Jesus is asking each one of us to take this Advent seriously.
Fr. Peterson is director of mission and development for the Youth Apostles.
Who was Isaiah?
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Mk 13:33-37 Dec. 3
The prophet Isaiah is one of the three central scriptural figures of the Advent season, along with St. John the Baptist and the Blessed Virgin Mary. He lived approximately 700 years before the time of Christ. The prophet heard a call from God, perhaps even in the Temple in Jerusalem, to be a voice of God for the chosen people during a very challenging time in their history. He warned the people of Israel that they were not being faithful to God’s holy covenant. If they did not reform their ways, a severe punishment would come in the form of the Assyrians who would conquer Judah and Jerusalem, and exile most of the Israelites. Isaiah angered many with his tough message and stern warnings. As a result, the prophet was harshly persecuted by his own people.
One significant reason for Isaiah’s major role in the Advent season is that several of his messages turned out to be more prophetic than anyone could have imagined. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, he also spoke with remarkable clarity about the coming of Christ.
In today’s first reading, Isaiah speaks from a place of great pain and anguish. The Assyrians had already conquered and plundered Israel. After some years, the people become dejected and feel abandoned by God. Their world has been turned upside down. They are living in a foreign land under the thumb of pagan kings who have no respect for their beliefs and practices. The people of God long to return home.
Isaiah, speaking from this place of anguish, lets out a cry to God, “Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, with the mountains quaking before you, while you wrought awesome deeds we could not hope for, such as they had not heard of from of old.”
Some 700 years later, God would answer that prayer in a most spectacular fashion, going way beyond what anyone could ever imagine. God would indeed rend the heavens and come down. This time, he would not send a mere human prophet, judge or king. God’s merciful and tender love would lead him to send his only begotten Son, co-eternal with him from all ages. Our heavenly Father heard the cry of his children around the world who were lost, seeking meaning in life, frustrated in their slavery to sin and looking for proof of God’s love. “And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.”
Part of our efforts to prepare for the celebration of the coming of Christ some 2,000 years ago should include spending some time pondering how God spent 2,000 years of salvation history, beginning with Abraham, preparing the world for Jesus’ entrance into this world as a poor, humble babe. Isaiah begged God to “wrought awesome deeds.” What more could the Father have done for us?
Furthermore, the Gospel today teaches us that the same Lord and Savior who came and dwelt among us will come again at an unexpected time. We often refer to this moment as the Second Coming. Jesus warns us: “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.”
Consequently, Advent is also a time for us to prepare for the Second Coming of Christ. At that time, Jesus will exercise a final judgment upon the whole world. When that epic moment arrives, we will not have any more time to get our act together, repent of our sins or pledge our love to his Sacred Heart. At that time, every human being will know his/her final destiny — heaven or hell. There will be no other options. This stark reality demands our serious attention at this moment in history.
Am I prepared for the Second Coming? If Jesus were to bring my life to an end this day, would I be prepared? Advent is a time to ask these questions and take them very seriously. Advent is a time to make changes in our lives in order to live radically with Christ and for Christ. Jesus is asking each one of us to take this Advent seriously.
Fr. Peterson is director of mission and development for the Youth Apostles.
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