St. Raphael Parish

Prophet Isaiah and John the Baptist speak of the coming of the kingdom of Messiah [Christ] or the new thing God is creating and what we need to do to become part of this kingdom. Isaiah uses agricultural image of a young girl or boy taking domestic animals, cows, sheep, to the pastures for food, and bring them back home safe to shelter. There is no danger from wild animals; even the lion, bear and the viper, all learn to become peaceful. There will be harmony in nature and justice of the Messiah will flow like a stream. John the Baptist preached repentance and the coming of Messiah in the wilderness of Judea. This infertile land of Judea is symbolic of human heart and also the time Israelites spent in the desert awaiting entry into the Promised Land. Repentance or change of heart is about welcoming Christ the Messiah and let his mercy and offer of peace blossom our lives.

John the Baptist is saying that if you truly repent of your sins, let all see the change in the way you live. Christ the Messiah is filled with wisdom, understanding, knowledge, courage and he will empower the heart that repents with these gifts of the Spirit that we may have Christ-like reverential and loving relationship with God and others. Isaiah and John the Baptist were prophets who invite us to listen to the voice of God they shared with the world. The heart that let the voice of God shape it finds blessedness, peace, or the dwelling of Emmanuel [Christ], God with us. The winnowing shovel, the fire of the Spirit that Christ, the Messiah uses to judge human heart is love. To welcome Christ, to follow him is to learn and live the ‘art of loving’.

Art of loving: Lara Match shares how she, her husband Ezra and their son five year old Ronen live the art of loving! ‘Art of loving informs our interactions in the family. Sometimes, I am the first to love by asking my husband about his workday and letting him talk it through before launching into my concerns or reviewing plans [we take turn to do this]. Other times, he is the first to love by offering to take our five year old on a bike ride so I can have some quiet time. Art of loving offers us a way to deal with emotions, tensions or conflict that arise from our differences in character and upbringing. When it is bedtime for little Ronen, it can get challenging since everyone is tired. Whenever we break the unity in the family with a frustrated shout or outburst, we always make sure to apologize, forgive each other and start again right away, so that small frictions don’t grow into bigger clashes. Art of loving is unconditional, proactive, empathetic, inclusive and reciprocal’.

This advent, examine, where in life we must be awakened to a need for radical change, healing of attitudes, thoughts and our approaches to life issues? Let the stream of grace flow into our hearts! Though John the Baptist used fiery language, he is saying to us, care for your hearts, speak tenderly to your hearts, welcome the passing things with humility, leave open the uncertainties with trust for the fresh streams of grace to overflow in life. Learn the art of loving and may that uproot the trees of hatred, violence anger, greed, all negativity and move us on to harmony with all in Christ Jesus.