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Posted by on Jan 5, 2026

Governing With Justice – Rescuing the Poor and Afflicted

Governing With Justice – Rescuing the Poor and Afflicted

“O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice the king’s son.”

With these words from Psalm 72 at Epiphany, we are introduced to a new vision of what it means to govern – to govern with justice.

When the king and his son govern with the Lord’s judgment, the result is not what so often happens historically. Historically, many rulers have come to power through violence or trickery. Others grow up as children of rulers, having their every whim granted. They assume this will continue for the rest of their lives and set out to make it so. The result of this common pattern is not peace and justice for the community. It is all too often oppression, poverty, anger, frustration, and sometimes outright rebellion and wars. The opposite result occurs when governing with the Lord’s judgment.

The psalmist sings of justice flowering and profound peace from sea to sea for all time, and, in a reference some might have heard in recent years, “from the River to the ends of the earth.” The term, the river, refers to the land of Abraham’s birth, in Ur of the Chaldees – a land currently known as Iraq. In other words, this justice and peace are to flow through all the world.

Kings will bring gifts and tribute/money and pay him homage. Nations will serve this king. Why? Because he rescues the poor and the afflicted. He takes pity on the poor and saves their lives. Not a common picture of the typical reason kings or rulers receive tribute from others. (Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13)

The promise of Isaiah for Jerusalem seems in many ways to contrast dramatically with the image from Psalm 72. “Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you.” This prophecy speaks of darkness covering the earth until the Lord comes, shining over the land with glory – a light to guide the way of nations and kings. Prosperity, reunion of peoples gathering from afar, rich gifts from the powerful – all will be part of the splendor of Jerusalem. This was a great promise made to a people returning from exile, yet it is much more as well.

Notice, the psalm also speaks of kings bringing tribute and peoples of all nations serving the Lord. This isn’t the kind of kingdom or nation state we see in human history. This is something greater. Jerusalem is not just the capital of Israel. It’s not the city or land over which so many have fought through the centuries and continue to fight. This is the place where the Lord’s justice and glory shine forth. Those who approach it from all over the world bring rich gifts to share with all. Yet it is not those rich gifts that make it the wondrous place that it is. What matters is the presence of the Lord, the light shining forth to the world. Those who come to this place proclaim their praise of the Lord, the Lord appearing in glory. (Is 60:1-6)

St. Paul explains that this gathering of peoples is enlarged through the coming of Jesus to include all peoples of the earth – Jews and Gentiles alike. All are now heirs of God’s kingdom and grace. All are “members of the same body, and copartners in the promise” received through the gospel, the good news, of Christ Jesus. The old barriers that divided the world into those chosen and those rejected have been destroyed. All are invited to this relationship with the Lord whose light shines forth through the darkness. (Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6)

Light shining forth – new understandings – Epiphany.

The Lord came into the world as a baby, part of a normal human family. Yet his coming was not a humdrum event. Born during a census that required people to move from the towns in which they were living to the towns of their ancestors, he was greeted by the poor – shepherds who received word from heavenly messengers.

Shepherds were not the only visitors Jesus received. Wise men from eastern lands also came to visit, according to St. Matthew. Constellations in the sky which they had observed indicated a very special king was to be born in the land of Israel. They set out to visit the newborn and bring appropriate gifts. Being practical people, they first checked in at the palace to see the newborn, but that wasn’t where this king was to be found. The ruling king’s advisors checked the predictions for where the great king, the anointed one of the Lord, was to be born and reported that he would likely be found in Bethlehem.

The wise men, magi, found Jesus and his parents in Bethlehem. They offered their gifts and praise – gifts for a king. A greater king than any other. The one foretold in Psalm 72 and Isaiah. The one who would rule with justice and mercy, caring for the poor.

The magi returned home by a different route, to protect this child from Herod, the local king. They were changed by the experience of meeting this child and his family and carried that with them on their journey home. (Mt 2:1-12)

Shortly after the magi left Bethlehem, so did Joseph with Mary and Jesus – in the middle of the night. Into Egypt they traveled to escape the danger posed by Herod. As political refugees, they left everything behind to protect their child. Had they remained, he would have been killed with the other baby boys by Herod’s soldiers.

How are we to respond to these images and promises today? How and where does the light shine forth through our words and actions. Where do we look to find justice and peace? How do we care for the poor and afflicted? Is this only a personal responsibility or is it a communal one – something local and national governments are also called to do?

As we enter into another calendar year, with wars raging, countries competing economically and ideologically, arguments among peoples who have different visions for the future and understandings of who is responsible to help the young, the old, the newcomer, the neighbor, we will be forced to address these questions.

Epiphany, light shining forth, new understandings – justice and wise judgment as gifts from our God – may all these be characteristic of all who are followers of the Lord God. May we keep our eyes and hearts open to find the child sent from on high, bringing light and life to our world. And may we be partners in the great task of serving those least able to protect themselves and prosper. With this heavenly king, may we have pity for the lowly and the afflicted, reaching out to save the lives of the poor.

Readings for The Epiphany of the Lord – Cycle A

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Posted by on Dec 21, 2025

I Do It Myself – A Step in Growing Up But Not the Goal

I Do It Myself – A Step in Growing Up But Not the Goal

“I do it myself” declares the young child as a new skill is proudly claimed. Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister – “I can do it on my own. I don’t need your help for this” is the way we older folks might express the same thought.

Sometimes we simply smile when we hear a young child express such feelings. It’s a sign of growing maturity and competency with the skills they will need throughout their lives. Other times, it can be very frustrating for those of us who must stand by and wait for the child to accomplish the task or do it less perfectly than we might like to see. After all, time doesn’t wait for anyone and sometimes we need to get out the door!

This reality struck me as I was reading some background information on King Ahaz and his response to the Lord’s work spoken to him by the prophet Isaiah. “I will not ask! I will not tempt the Lord!”

In a world and society in which doing things ourselves is highly valued, these words seem rather admirable. Why not act responsibly and behave like grown-ups? Isn’t that what Ahaz is doing?

Well, as it turns out, that’s not what Ahaz should have been doing. Ahaz was king of Judah, the southern kingdom. Judah was being threatened by Syria and Israel (kingdoms to the north). Those kingdoms, in turn, were being threatened by Assyria. As a king from David’s line, Isaiah reminds him, he can call on the Lord for insight and help in making the decision about how best to protect his people. The Lord has traditionally come to the aid of leaders who ask for this help.

But Ahaz refused to ask.

Isaiah didn’t simply tell Ahaz that whatever he wanted to do would be all right. He spoke a prophecy – a sign the Lord would send. “The virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.” (Is 7:10-14)

The meanings of the words are important here. Emmanuel means “God with us.” The original Hebrew term used to describe the woman who would bear the child was “almah,” meaning essentially a young woman who was old enough and free to marry. When the scripture was translated into Greek, the word used was “parthenos,” which is translated as virgin.

The technical details of how it would all come to pass were left to the Lord to figure out.

Centuries passed before this promise came to fruition. By the time Jesus was born, the nation had passed through the Babylonian captivity, the return to Israel when Persia defeated Babylon, and later conquests by other regional empires. Finally, under the Roman empire, the prophecy was fulfilled.

St. Matthew described the reaction of Joseph, an honorable man who discovered that his bride-to-be was expecting a child before they were married. Shocked, he still did not want to denounce her for punishment, but he planned to divorce her quietly and move on with his life. However, the Lord’s messenger, an angel, appeared to him in a dream before he acted.

“Joseph, son of David,” said the angel, “do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Joseph believed the angel, God’s special messenger, and took Mary into his home as his wife. He cared for her and the child born to them, loving and supporting them both for the rest of his life. (Mt 1:18-24)

Joseph’s approach was in many ways the complete opposite of Ahaz, who assumed he knew just what to do and could do it himself. Joseph accepted the word that came to him from the Lord and trusted that the Lord would be there to help. Rather than “I do it myself,” he trusted the Lord enough to go against tradition and love Mary and raise a son with her as a loving father.

After Jesus’ death and resurrection, as the community of believers grew and expanded out from Israel into surrounding lands, St. Paul received a call to share the Good News with non-Jews, those known as Gentiles. In his letter to Roman Christians, Paul begins by introducing himself as subject to the rule of Jesus, the Christ, called to share the gospel, the Good News, of God with all. Though Jesus was descended from David, his power and authority stem from being the Son of God. This power and authority open to all peoples the gift of sharing in the life of grace in the new kingdom of God. He concludes his introduction with a special greeting and blessing. “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom 1:1-7)

Hear these words with fresh ears again today. They are meant for all of us too and echo across the ages. “Grace to you and peace.”

Although we have been encouraged to be independent and earn everything on our own, in reality, “I do it myself” is a reflection of childhood and a stage of growing into adulthood. As we grow, we are to learn wisdom as well. We learn to trust our God and Father to be there to help. We help each other and in doing so, we grow in God’s life (grace) and experience the peace of knowing God is there supporting us.

The coming of the Lord is near. We remember his birth so long ago. We remember his parents and their “yes” to God’s request of them. We listen to hear God’s request of us.

Grace and peace be with you in this time of quiet waiting for the Lord’s coming.

Readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent – Cycle A

 

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Posted by on Nov 29, 2025

Come Let Us Climb the Lord’s Mountain

Come Let Us Climb the Lord’s Mountain

Most of us don’t live on mountains. We live lower down, where the land is flatter and living is easier. But hills and mountains are special places in our experience. It takes some effort to get up or down a hill and even more to get up towards the top of a mountain. Some mountains are easier to climb than others, but all offer a special something that leads us to them.

When we get up on the mountainside, the views that stretch out in front of us are amazing. From a simple meadow, we look down into valleys, across to broad fields or other mountains rising in the distance. The worries and concerns of the day can slip away as we see the broader world and its beauty. As we open to take it all in, we find refreshment and rest before we return to the day-to-day activities of our lives.

In ancient times, mountains were the site of encounters between God and humans. Moses was called up to the top of Mt. Horeb to receive the Law from the Lord. The prophet Elijah waited high up on the same mountain to meet the Lord, who came to him in a quiet whisper of voice. The temple itself was built on a mountain. It wasn’t the tallest mountain in the area, but it was certainly a point of focus within the city of Jerusalem because this was the place of the dwelling of the Most High, rebuilt after the exile in Babylon.

Isaiah describes this mountain, Zion, as the house of Jacob’s God. People from all over the world come to this mountain, seeking to learn how to walk in the Lord’s paths. There they will turn from war to peace, learning to “walk in the light of the Lord.”

The view from the Lord’s Mountain turns towards peace and acceptance of others, regardless of which nation is their homeland, because the Lord calls and guides all peoples. “Come let us climb the Lord’s mountain” – all are welcome and called. (Is 2:1-5)

Jesus too traveled to the mountain of the Lord, the temple in Jerusalem. He was known to pray by himself on mountains and hillsides as he traveled through the land. Yet he didn’t focus on the mountaintop experiences. His mission was to all who lived ordinary lives.

He made clear in his teaching that the kingdom of God begins here and now. It’s not something far away. Nevertheless, the day and time that the Son of Man will come is unknown. “Stay awake” he tells us. “Be prepared … at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” (Mt 24:37-44)

With the coming of Jesus, we have a change. No longer is God to be found mainly on mountaintop temples. God has become one of us, living in the everyday world with us. All will end one day, but in the meanwhile, look around. The Lord is here, present in each person we meet.

St. Paul reminded the people of Rome, “it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep.” Salvation is near and getting nearer every day. The risen Christ will come again. It might be very soon, but that is no reason to simply take it easy and sleep away the time until then. Be awake and actively living. Move away from rivalry, jealousy, and other negative actions. Turn always to the light and live as the Lord would. (Rom 13:11-14)

Climb the Lord’s mountain and find him also on the way, along the path, through the day-to-day activities. Sometimes, those daily patterns can be as challenging as climbing a mountain. Then remember to take time out, step onto the mountain for a bit, and see the bigger picture. Rest in the Lord’s presence for a while, before returning to the everyday challenges and joys.

Advent is here. We wait for the Lord’s coming. We celebrate the promise of the Lord’s coming. We rest in a bit of quiet as the world races around us, knowing that it is in the quiet times and places that we will find him newly born in our hearts.

Come, let us find the Lord together in this new year.

Readings for the First Sunday of Advent – Cycle A

 

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Posted by on May 7, 2023

The Way – Expanding Understandings

The Way – Expanding Understandings

Following Pentecost, large numbers of people joined the community of believers, who spoke of themselves as Followers of the Way. Jesus had told his followers, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” (Jn 14:1-12) But when it came right down to the day-to-day project of living out the teachings of the master, it was challenging.

When the community began to grow beyond the Jewish faith tradition and include non-Jews from around the known world, it got even more challenging. Who gets the most of the shared resources? If I am responsible for distributing goods, do I make sure my family and friends have enough even if that means some others didn’t get as much as they wanted? Do I favor the folks who have come from another country? Should they get the same share as I do? They didn’t bring as much wealth to the community. Why should they get as much as the folks who were here first?

We hear some of these same questions and have some of the same arguments today. Why should immigrants get extra help? If a child came to the country illegally, why should they get free education and health care? Why should we care if they are sent to do unsafe work by unscrupulous “hosts”? If people don’t have jobs, why should we give them health care or food?

The apostles had to address these issues of justice and fairness in their community too. They were being distracted from the preaching and teaching of the Good News by the need to mediate these disputes. So after talking and praying about it, they decided to select some members of the community to handle the day-to-day administration the communal life and distribution of resources. They selected a group of people to take this role, including Stephen, the first martyr. (Acts 6:1-7)

Although the roles they played are somewhat different from the roles of deacons today, we often speak of these men as the first deacons. They took as their responsibility the care of the community in its daily life. The apostles were the preachers and teachers. The deacons made sure everyone got what they needed to live a good life together. Women also served as deacons in the early community, but they are not named in the reading describing the selection of the first deacons.

Deacons today preach and teach, both in words and deeds. They assist with the celebration of Eucharist, welcoming those gathered and leading the Penitential Rite. They also bring the needs of the broader community to the attention of the Church community. As they prepare the gifts for the sacrifice and raise the cup of the precious blood at the conclusion of the Eucharistic Prayer, they bring the needs and hopes and joys of the world to the Father in the sacrifice. They dismiss the community gathered in prayer to go into the world and serve the needs of all those they meet, including the poorest of the poor. They call forth leaders from the community to organize helpers and address those needs.

Just as the early church leaders adjusted their practices to meet the growing and changing needs of the community, we today listen to the Holy Spirit speaking to us through the everyday, ordinary folks we meet. The Spirit calls the Church anew in every age to meet new challenges as we continue to share the good news Jesus brought to all – that God is with us and loves us dearly.

May we remember this as we move through the coming weeks and months. Those we meet along the way speak to us of the hopes and dreams of God for all of us and for the marvelous creation we share. I pray we will be open to hear the Spirit calling us to service.

Readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter – Cycle A

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