First Week of Advent 2022

A scriptural reflection on the First Week of Advent, based on Isaiah 11:1-10 and Luke 10:21-24.

Prior to the start of Advent this past Sunday, we have been hearing in the mass readings about the end of days.  In contrast to the past weeks, we hear in today’s first reading that from a tree stump, what’s left after a tree has been cut down… will come a new shoot, which will bud and blossom.  What seemed like the end of the tree, has a new start.  And so, we transition from one liturgical year to the next and we start a new season, Advent.  We move from the end of days toward the birth of new life.  The First Week of Advent is very special because no matter which liturgical year we are in, the first reading of the First Week of Advent is always the same.  We begin this holy season with hearing Isaiah’s prophecy of the coming of the messiah. 

The picture that Isaiah paints for us sounds like a utopic vision.  Lambs entertaining wolves.  Leopards playing with baby goats.  Children walking around with calves and young lions.  Babies hanging out with snakes.  Predators and prey getting along?  This holy mountain that Isaiah is describing sounds like a faraway place.  It’s very unlike the world we live in.  Some dismiss it as a pipedream, a fantasy, something we say, “oh that’s nice,” to, but not really believe it’s possible. 

We can all be naysayers from time to time, even among the most optimistic.  But Jesus is inviting us to not only believe in the vision that Isaiah is painting for us, but imploring us to live it!  In the gospel, Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit.  The same Spirit described in Isaiah of the Old Testament.  Jesus tells the disciples, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see… Many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.” 

Who are the people in our lives that have the eyes that see and the ears that hear?  Who can imagine what the vision of the messiah looks like in everyday life.  Who can hear the hope that is speaking through scripture.  Who yearns for peace among the countries of the world.  Who desires peace among estranged family members.  They have the eyes that see and the ears that hear.  They are a gift to us and they help us to see a little more clearly and work with courage to build a better world.  To adopt a posture of wisdom and understanding.  To approach difficult situations with counsel and strength. 

During this holy season of Advent, may the prophecies of Isaiah inspire in us a longing and expectation of the coming of the Savior and may they help us to prepare well to celebrate the birth of our Emmanuel on Christmas day.