Advent Reflections

Let the heavens rain down the Just One,
And the earth bring forth a Savior.

First Week of Advent - Friday

December 3, 2004

On that day the deaf shall hear
The words of a book;
And out of gloom and darkness,
The eyes of the blind shall see.
The lowly will ever find joy in the Lord,
And the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 29: 18-19

The Poor and the Lowly

God has a special place in his heart for the poor and lowly of the earth. He looks down from his place in heaven and is moved with pity for his children. He sees that countless numbers face starvation in a world filled with an abundance of his gifts. Many more succumb to disease every day, though he has endowed man with the knowledge and means to treat almost every malady. Many are deprived of freedom and justice, and suffer oppression at the hands of their fellow men.

But God will not leave his children in misery. A day is coming when all things will be made new in the kingdom of heaven. The blind will see, the deaf will hear, and all who suffer under the burdens of earthly life will be comforted by the Lord. The hungry will have their fill. Those who have been mistreated will see justice restored. God's lowly ones will stream into heaven amid loud rejoicing.

Will we have a place among the throng of heaven? Those of us who have been blessed with an abundance look upon the misery of our brothers and sisters and feel powerless to help. But though we can do little to solve the global problems that weigh upon our world, we can do something. We cannot help everyone, but we can help someone. God's Spirit works in the world through ordinary people who open themselves to the power of love. The world is made better one heart at a time.

On judgment day the Lord God will address each of us thus:

"I was present in each of your brothers and sisters. In them I was hungry and thirsty, sick and lonely, deprived of freedom, exploited, subjected to every kind of indignity and mistreatment. Did you do anything at all to help me?"

Lord Jesus Christ, you are the protector of the weak and judge of the strong. Send forth your Spirit into our hearts and guide us in the way of justice and peace. As you have loved us, may we love too. And may we join your lowly ones in singing your praise in the kingdom of heaven.