Every year the cycle of the liturgical calendar begins again. The readings and the theological themes revealed are utterly familiar. It’s Mary and Joseph; the Annunciations of the Angel Gabriel making surprising proposals for the gifts of a son- John the Baptist and Jesus; the joy of the Visitation moment between Mary and Elizabeth. In the popular imagination, these scenes can become sweet and sentimental. But this drama unfolds in the context of great volatility. and the action of God to come to us in the Incarnation is precisely to save humanity from its own path of self-destruction.
In fact, in the couple of weeks before Advent begins, the readings are always about the final judgement, the end times, the final struggle of powers and principalities, etc. In the end, all of these human efforts at domination and dehumanization, however, implode upon themselves. Evil does not win- the God of Love does!
It’s also the case that every year, we hear these same stories and celebrate these mysteries in the liturgy in the context of our current life experience and the surrounding dynamics of our relationships, both close to home and in the broader world.
We might have some sense of loss or breakdown or confusion in our own familial relationships, and therefore the liturgy itself and specifically the readings land in our hearts uniquely. God’s word speaks to us in a way that gives hope uniquely to our current reality.
This Sunday, when Isaiah makes the promise from God that the Lord’s house will be established on high, and that all swords shall be turned into plowshares, that word is meant for us as well.
And when Jesus admonishes his followers to stay ready for when the victory of God approaches, that is for us as well.
How do these promises land in your heart today, at this moment in history?
Fr. Chris Collins, SJ
Vice President for Mission
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