DECEMBER 9, 2009, WEDNESDAY OF 2nd WEEK OF ADVENT- ISAIAH 40:25-31; MATTHEW 11: 28-30

 

THEY THAT HOPE IN THE LORD WILL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH; THEY WILL SOAR WITH THE WINGS OF EAGLES. The first reading of today’s liturgy, taken from Second Isaiah, proclaims, in a major key, with display of profound assurance, the central message of this season of Advent. The Lord has not abandoned or forgotten his people, but is about to build them up and give them new heart and strength. In order to convince his audience the prophet reminds them that the Lord who is to prove himself their Savior is the Creator of the stars of heaven, the powerful Master of the universe. What seems unlikely if not impossible, due to the dire condition of the exiled people, held in bondage by Babylon, the superpower of that age, presents no obstacle to “the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth.” A long exile, the destruction of Jerusalem, and government by a tyrannous power had resulted in low morale and discouragement among the Israelites. Their faith had been worn down, heaviness of heart destroyed hope so joy no longer gave courage and conviction to their spirit. But there was one man, at least, who kept faith in the promises God had made to the Fathers and to Moses. The words of our text are the record of this witness to God’s fidelity. He not only remained convinced himself that the Lord continued to watch over his chosen flock, but was able by his enthusiastic conviction to inspire hope in the dispirited. He achieved his purpose by bearing witness in words that continue to give conviction that God remains committed to the welfare of those who “put their hope in him”, as our prophet phrases it.

 

Hope is more than mere wishing or velleity. Hope is a force that gives firmness to purpose. The hope that is heralded by the prophet is a conviction born of a faith that God is in charge of his creation and remains true to his promises. He does not deceive nor disappoint those who look to Him for strength and the other helps of which we stand in need. We can appreciate the force hidden and active in this virtue of hope when we advert to the circumstances in which the prophet proclaimed its sure results. The Jewish nation has been defeated, its leading citizens held in exile but the most powerful, highly developed nation on earth, discouragement has invaded many and the future seems to promise more of the same helplessness. Memory of the homeland begins to fade with time and the impressive displays of splendor in the royal palaces and hanging gardens, in the temples of the pagan gods tempt the dispirited exiles to doubt the Lord’s care of the nation.

 

Then, on a sudden, a fresh note is sounded by one of their own. There remains one who keeps faith with the God of the fathers and  renews the promise made to them and to their children. His enthusiasm is the expression of a certitude based on faith that creates its own assurance of a coming deliverance and a final glory. This then is the context in which our prophet encourages his people to take courage, reminding them that “They who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar with the wings of eagles.”

 

This hope, founded on faith in the power and loving mercy of God, gives new life and purpose to those living in darkness and the shadow of death. Centuries later, near our own times the French poet, Charles Peguy wrote admiringly of this same virtue of hope, born of faith in the Lord. He had learned that though hope seems frail in the face of the threats and challenges that surround us, yet when cherished it gives rise to the great prize. He concludes his poem on the virtues of faith, hope and charity in these words: “ my hope is the bloom and the fruit, and the leaf, and the seed, and the bud. Hope is the shoot, and the bud of the bloom of eternity itself.” For the Christian, hope is the blossoming of the Holy Spirit with the heart of the believer. In today’s Gospel Jesus inspires a joyous, strong hope in those who approach him in trusting faith as he gives us assurance that he is eager to receive us if only we come to him as to our Savior. By his message he takes the reassuring initiative that makes it possible for us to prepare our hearts so that he will find in us the response of a hope that is the form taken by desire to be united with him forever. Advent with its message on conversion, and penance, is the season to nourish hope that brings with itself desire for him who comes to save us for eternal life of God the Father, through the Son, in the Holy Spirit. &            

Abbot John Eudes Bamberger

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