Second Wednesday of Advent (Isaiah 25:6-26:6)
Yesterday, we read of the final judgment of God on the actions of men; today, in the reading for the second Wednesday of Advent, we hear the promise of Christ's reign over all the nations. The earth will be remade; death shall be destroyed; and men shall live in peace. The humble and the poor will be exalted, but the haughty will be humbled.I think that tonight's Advent message is summed up in the words in red above. We have been reminded so many times that Jesus did not enter the world as the Prince that He indeed was. He was born of a young girl from a simple background. Mary was a young girl who said, "Yes."
A couple of thoughts -- in Isaiah's words above, he writes that the Lord is going to remake the earth. Think about how Mary's life was 'remade' as soon as she was visited by the Angel Gabriel. Isaiah writes that the humble will be exalted -- reminding you of our definition of humility -- putting the needs of another before your own needs, Mary certainly fit the description of humility and a person who was humble. And, she is exalted - we do lift her name in prayer as we beseech her to pray on our behalf.
Can you think of three people more humble and poor than Jesus, Mary and Joseph in that stable on the night that Jesus was born? I can't.
One final thought about humility -- I was trying to make a point about humility this morning to one of my children. I was explaining that given a certain situation, a particular child was conducting him/herself in a very humble manner and that part of humility is doing the act WITHOUT the expectation of recognition or reward. The reward is the knowledge that one had done something for another without seeking recognition or payment. THAT is a big part of humility and a facet of it that the kids and I need to explore further. I had taken it for granted -- they were totally unaware of it. Lots of work to do there.
Also -- Thursday, December 8, 2011 -- the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
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