Thursday of the First Week of Advent Dec. 7th

Thursday of the First Week of Advent
December 7, 2006

“On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah: A strong city have we.”

Isaiah 26:1

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At one point in the Gospels people were questioning Jesus about his power and he replied, “You would have no power unless it were given to you from above.” True, so true. In one of his letters, St. Paul challenges his hearers to name something they have not received. Yes, any power or strength we have for anything is given to us from the hand of God.

Funerals highlight how powerless we really are. I mean, in one hundred years from now you and I are going to be dead physically. So, what power do we have on our own? Ultimately, the only power we have on our own is to die. Thus, why would anyone not make Christ the most important person to seek out in life?

In this Holy Season of Advent, we prepare for the coming birth of Jesus into our broken, tear-filled world. Jesus leaves the perfect strength of heaven and vulnerably subjects himself to the weakness, sufferings and onslaughts of the world. What amazing love that Jesus would trade heaven for crucifixion on a cross.

If we look at Jesus’ life, he models for us what true strength is all about. As Jesus is misunderstood, rejected and suffers and dies, he shows us that his strength is not in his own power but comes from the might of God. He trusts in God the Father and the Father is his portion and strength forever.

As human beings, we are weak and short-lived. We are here today and gone tomorrow. But the Good News is that we throw all our weakness, suffering and, ultimately, our death into Jesus and he gives us eternal life. Talk about strength!

You would have no power whatsoever unless it were given to you from above.

Love is spelled T-I-M-E,
Fr. John