Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: December 5, 2023

Date: Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent

Scripture Text: Isaiah 11:1-10

On that day, A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, A Spirit of counsel and of strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD. Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide, But he shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land's afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips. Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; The calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them. The cow and the bear shall be neighbors, together their young shall rest; the lion shall eat hay like the ox. The baby shall play by the cobra's den, and the child lay his hand on the adder's lair. There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD, as water covers the sea. On that day, The root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, The Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The first reading from the Prophet Isaiah gives the promise of one who will come and with Him bring justice and world harmony. We know that this is a prophecy of Christ’s coming. But the world did not recognize Him when he dwelt among us and taught in the synagogues and villages and cured the sick. After His death and resurrection, many came to believe in Jerusalem and beyond immediately and for millenniums to come. But this prophecy is not really about Jesus’ first coming at Christmas. It is about Christ’s second coming. Only then will the harmony and wholeness and holiness of all creation be fully restored.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

What will Christ see in me at the time of judgment?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You created with love, through love all of us and call us as your daughters and sons to live lives of love for You and for one another. You sent your beloved and only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to dwell among us as our brother, to teach us through word and example, and to offer himself selflessly for our life by dying upon a cross for our sins. And in the Spirit, through His resurrection, He defeated death. Send your Spirit to kindle in us anew our love and our faithfulness so that we might follow Christ, “the Way and the Truth and the Life.” With faith, hope and love we await Christ’s second coming. Grant that at the end of our earthly journey we may find our way home. Amen.