The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, December 7, 2004
Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent
St. Ambrose, bishop, doctor of the Church

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalm 96:1-3,10-13
Matthew 18:12-14

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today's First Reading Isaiah the prophet was told to, "Cry out' and when he asked what it was he was to say he was told to say that "all mankind is grass and all their glory like the flower of the field that withers and wilts." It's the typical message we expect to hear from prophets--that our lives are short and of seemingly little importance. However this prophet says more and it's as important as his warning about the shortness of our lives. Isaiah reminds us that though we will disappear like withered flowers and wilted grass, the Word of God will remain forever.

"Well, so what!" some might say. "What good will that do me?" It is not an inappropriate inquiry, but a natural one, and the prophet goes on to tell us that God's Word which is unchanging and lasts forever, has promised that those who belong to His flock will be gathered and "shephered" and cared for--not tossed aside like wilted flowers or blown away like withered grass.

That is the Good that the Word of God, which lasts forever, promises: it is the good news! When we deserve no more than grass, God instead reaches down from heaven and gathers us up in His arms like a lamb, draws us to Himself and promises us heaven! By nature, when we should be blown away and disappear, we instead, by grace, become eternal!

- Donna Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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posted by joachim at 5:37 AM