Looking beyond the now

Root of Jesse Icon

 O Root of Jesse,
you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples;
kings stand silent in your presence;
the nations bow down in worship before you.
Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.

 

Today’s liturgy presents several figures of interest – (in the first reading) the parents of Samson, Manoah and his unnamed wife; (in the Gospel acclamation) Jesse, the father of King David; (in the Gospel) Zechariah and Elizabeth, the father of John the Baptist. Each of these figures will bring forth offspring who will play a key role in our salvation story. Both Samson and John are marked from birth as consecrated to God. Samson is the last Judge of Israel. He paves the way for David who eventually will defeat the enemy of Israel, the Philistines. John the Baptist on the other hand is last prophet of the old covenant, he paves the way for Jesus who will destroy the enemy of all humankind, sin.

Sandwiched between the two readings we have the third of the “O Antiphons.” As we approach the feast of the Nativity these Antiphons express the church’s longing for the Messiah. Each recalls a lens by which view Jesus. Jesse represents the hundreds and hundreds of years that the people waited for God’s coming and dwelling among them. And it is Jesus, the descendent of Jesse and David, who fulfills the promise.

At this point in Advent, exhaustion can be setting in. The shopping is not quite done. The Christmas cards haven’t been sent. There are several more parties to attend. And there is grading to do. Thank God the last assessment is today! Perhaps the readings today can call us to look beyond our immediate situations. God continues to do marvelous things. Like the women in today’s readings God can bring life from seemingly barren situations. He asks each and every one of us to be open to his possibilities. Take a few minutes today and quietly wait in expectation for the coming feast. How can I announce Christ in my own life? Where can I see Christ breaking into the lives of those around me? Where can I experience his glory? Listen to the following:



 
Author: Patrick Naughton, Administration