LISTENING

Read the text below, preferably aloud.  As you hear the word, “listen with the ear of your heart” for a word or short phrase that God has for you this day.

Isaiah 7:13-14; 9:6-7

Then Isaiah said: ‘Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.

For a child has been born for us,

   a son given to us;

authority rests upon his shoulders;

   and he is named

Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,

   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

His authority shall grow continually,

   and there shall be endless peace

for the throne of David and his kingdom.

   He will establish and uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

   from this time onwards and for evermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

COMMENTS

This passage takes place amidst a dire situation for the nation of Judea. Marching towards the capital city Jerusalem are two armies who have joined forces — Israel from the north (the Israelites at this time were divided) in alliance with Syria — to take over the city and install a puppet ruler. The prophet Isaiah warns the current ruler, King Ahaz, that if he does not turn back to God and ask for divine help, his nation will surely lose.

Yet in a show of false piety, King Ahaz declares that he will not ask for any sign from God, instead relying on his own machinations to stay in power. It is to this stubbornness that Isaiah responds in the Scripture passage above.

Ahaz misses his chance, Isaiah promises that now it will take something truly miraculous to save the Jews. In a show of faithfulness that can simply not be worn out, God will still stay with the people, sending a Messiah. His name shall be Immanuel.

It might not seem like such a stretch that the early Christians, already believing that Jesus is the Son of God, would look back in this passage and have an “Aha!” moment — this is Him!

Does a word or phrase stands out to you?

Messianic Predictions, Thomas Ingmire, © 2005 The Saint John’s Bible, Order of Saint Benedict, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Catholic Edition, Copyright 1993, 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

MEDITATING

Ruminate on the word you were drawn to in yesterday’s scripture passage (Isaiah 7:13-14, 9:6-7). What does the word or phrase you have chosen mean to you today? 

COMMENTS

That phrase in the passage from Isaiah that I keep returning to is “endless peace.”  In the midst of the unrest that reigned during Isaiah’s time, he predicts that a Messiah will come and that this Messiah will usher in a new era of peace. 

This is an incredibly chaotic time of year.  Parents try to make ends meet as they strive to create the “perfect” Christmas morning for their children.  Students hack away on their computers trying to write that “perfect” final paper.  Church musicians and liturgists are busy planning the “perfect” Christmas service.  In an era that seems to demand so much perfection, where is this “endless peace” that Isaiah promises?

My gut response as a Christian is “well, obviously Jesus is this endless peace.”  While I know this is true, the answer doesn’t completely satisfy me.  I think that’s because we often ignore the fact that we have to actually make the effort to seek out Jesus Christ, who is “everlasting peace.”  This seeking can be messy and unclear at times.  However I know that if I keep my heart open and seeking, it’s often in the completely unexpected moments I end up finding this peace.

As I read this passage from Isaiah, I know that God understood the frustrations of Israel.  God sends a sign: “…the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel…”  At the time, I’m sure this sign seemed quite unspectacular.  Like many things in our lives, it’s only by stepping back that we realize the true gift that God is offering us.  God offered Israel a powerless child that will bring endless peace.  God offers us this same gift.  May we keep our hearts open to receiving this gift of endless peace as we move through the journey of Advent.

Which word or phrase spoke to you?

Messianic Predictions, Thomas Ingmire, © 2005 The Saint John’s Bible, Order of Saint Benedict, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Catholic Edition, Copyright 1993, 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

SEEING

Return to God’s word for the purpose of “hearing and seeing” Christ in the text. Fix your gaze on the illumination. Ask God to open the eyes of your heart and enable you to see what God wants you to see.

COMMENTS

Yesterday I reflected that the process of seeking out Jesus Christ, who is “everlasting peace,” can be a messy process.  As I focus on this illumination, I see what a completely beautiful mess this process really is!  There’s an energy and joyfulness about this illumination, but it’s anything but neat!

In many ways, I see the multicolored lines as being our various journeys on our quest for “everlasting peace.”  These lines are helter-skelter.  Some are bright and joyful, while others are dark and lonely.  Yet, every single line intersects with one of the wonderful titles of the Messiah from Isaiah: “Prince of Peace,” “King of Kings,” “God with us.”  If that isn’t enough, every lines also intersects with a jubilant “Hallelujah!” 

For me, this is reflective of how the Divine constantly intersects with our lives, whether we know it or not, whether we asked for it or not.  There’s an old saying that comes to mind that says “Summoned or not summoned, God is present.”  I see that very clearly in this illumination.  Through life’s highs and lows, somehow we are always running into a “Hallelujah” moment.  These moments become possible through the promise of Isaiah at the bottom of the illumination “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign.  Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.”  From this unassuming prediction comes a savior, a Messiah, who is always with us on our journey and who ultimately leads us to himself, “everlasting peace.”

Messianic Predictions, Thomas Ingmire, © 2005 The Saint John’s Bible, Order of Saint Benedict, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Catholic Edition, Copyright 1993, 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

SEEING

Return to God’s word for the purpose of “hearing and seeing” Christ in the text. Fix your gaze on the illumination. Ask God to open the eyes of your heart and enable you to see what God wants you to see.

COMMENTS

In yesterday’s reflection, I noted how the various lines in the illumination called to mind how our various journeys in life always intersect with the divine.  As I read the text once again and return to the illumination, several new items have emerged.

The word that initially stuck me was “endless peace.”  Today I noticed that this very phrase crowns the illumination in the small, center arc.  I also noticed how Isaiah’s prediction at the bottom of the illumination is superimposed over a very different series of colors than at the top of the illumination.  I’m mainly struck with how joyful this image truly is.  Explosions of color, text, and lines jump off the page.  There’s certainly a sense of excitement! 

However, in many ways, I’ve found this illumination to be challenging.  I enjoy abstract art and I find this illumination completely beautiful.  How do I move beyond seeing a beautiful image to seeing God’s message for me within this image?  Perhaps I’m not always supposed to find a specific message for me personally.  Perhaps this illumination is supposed to serve as a reminder of the sheer joyfulness and exuberance of the incarnation. 

This image of bursting joy will be one that I carry with me throughout this advent.  May we all experience the day of Christmas with as much joy and excitement as this illumination projects!  What strikes you in this illumination?  What challenges you?

Messianic Predictions, Thomas Ingmire, © 2005 The Saint John’s Bible, Order of Saint Benedict, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Catholic Edition, Copyright 1993, 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

PRAYING

Pray to God, allowing for the transformation of your being and feelings. Give to God what you have found in your heart.

COMMENTS

Creating God, at the beginning of time, you brought order out of extreme chaos.  As we move toward the birthday of your son, we find ourselves bogged down and overwhelmed with our own chaos.  The demands of life are many and we do not easily see your activity in the world. 

Bring order to our lives, O God!  Remove the illusion from our hearts that we must constantly occupy ourselves in order to be successful!  Stir up a love for you in our hearts that we may be moved to seek out and find the gift of everlasting peace which you have promised us through Isaiah. 

As we prepare for the coming of your son in only a few short weeks, let us be conscience of your presence in our lives and the work of your creative spirit in the world.  Open our eyes to see the face of your son in the work we do, in the events of daily life, and in the people we meet, so that on Christmas day, we may truly experience the great joy and energy of that promise you entrusted to Isaiah long ago.

We as this in the name of your son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.  Amen!

Messianic Predictions, Thomas Ingmire, © 2005 The Saint John’s Bible, Order of Saint Benedict, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Catholic Edition, Copyright 1993, 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

CONTEMPLATING

Notice the transforming presence of God within you. Let go of words and images. Surrender all that is stirring, even if only briefly, and rest for a few minutes in God’s embrace.

COMMENTS

Contemplation is not something that I naturally drift towards.  I would imagine that this is the case for most people as well. 

As I’ve spent the week reflection upon both the scripture text from Isaiah and its accompanying illumination, I’ve been trying to find that time for contemplation – that interior reflection and search of “everlasting peace.” 

One thing that I’ve been much more conscious of is my time spent driving.  I generally like to listen to the news or classical music, but I’m beginning to realize how precious this drive time can be.  I’ve been trying to keep the radio off lately and use that time for reflection.  It really is amazing how contemplative a drive can be, even if it’s only five minutes.  I think it’s an important lesson to learn how to relish even the smallest moments of quiet.

What do I think about during these quiet times?  Sometimes my mind wanders, but lately I’ve been reflecting on that idea of “everlasting peace.”  Oddly enough, there’s a certain amount of peace that comes from even contemplating such an idea!  I think that what it comes down to is going about our daily lives with a certain amount of mindfulness.  Why are we occupying our time with the activities that we do?  For whom are we doing these things?  I think if we can be conscious about our day-to-day actions and intents, we can start to grasp at the “everlasting peace” that Isaiah promised.

Messianic Predictions, Thomas Ingmire, © 2005 The Saint John’s Bible, Order of Saint Benedict, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Catholic Edition, Copyright 1993, 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

BECOMING CHRIST-LIKE

Return to God’s word. Allow it to transform you. Notice how your faith is being deepened and your way of life motivated.

So far, this Advent season has proven to be both a journey and a struggle for me.  For well over a year, I’ve dreaded the implementation of the new Roman Missal.  Now that it is here, I’m having to find ways of moving beyond my personal hang-ups and reengaging in the source and summing of my own spiritual life and the life of the church universal.  It’s been a journey, but it’s been a struggle. 

This past fall, I made the decision to attend grad school.  It’s been a wonderful journey.  The people that have guided me through this process have been truly amazing.  I have no doubt this is where I’m supposed to be.  Yet, it has been a struggle.  I’ve been out of the academic routine for a while.  I’m not great at managing my time and I would have never dreamed that I would be as busy as I am.  It’s been a beautiful journey, but it’s been a struggle.

There’s something in the word “journey” itself the seems to imply that it’s more than just traveling from one place to another.  There’s a sense of the unknown; perhaps wrestling with some sort of difficulty is even implied.  I think this is a significant point in understanding our search for “everlasting peace.”  It’s a journey.  It involves the unknown and it involves difficulty.  Yet, we have that promise that we will find what we are searching for if we remain diligent in traveling along this journey of faith. 

So, how can I work toward becoming more Christ-like this Advent season and beyond?  As I alluded to in the previous post, I believe that it’s going about my daily activities with full mindfulness and intention.  Why I am I doing the things that I am doing?  For whom am I doing them for?  After all, the entire message of Advent is “stay awake!,” “be watchful!”  As I move toward the mystery of Christmas, I hope to keep this mindfulness about me.  I will seek to look for that “everlasting peace” in my everyday life, and I know that if I remain vigilant, I will find it.

Messianic Predictions, Thomas Ingmire, © 2005 The Saint John’s Bible, Order of Saint Benedict, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Catholic Edition, Copyright 1993, 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.