Christianity is a Kaleidoscope

Sunday, December 10, 2023

by Fr. David M. Knight

View readings for 2nd Sunday of Advent: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings

Lectionary no. 5 (Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; Psalm 85; 2Peter 3:8-14; Mark 1:1-8)

Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together.

Isaiah 40:5

Have you seen the glory of the Lord in a sunset? In the faces of children? In the beauty of a running horse? In people acting out of love?

John said we would see it in Jesus:

One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.

I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

The glory of God is best revealed when God’s divine life shines out through our humanity. St. Irenaeus said, “Life in humans is the glory of God,” meaning the divine life in us that is “the vision of God.” One advantage of Christianity is that it lets us recognize this glory in Christ’s body on earth today. Jesus said of his disciples, “I have been glorified in them” (John 17:1-10). And Saint Paul said all his preaching was summed up in the words: “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

Jesus said, “The one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these (John 14:12). God’s glory shines in every member of his body.

DAILY PRACTICE: Look for glimpses of God showing himself in people you work with. Do they sometimes sound like Jesus? Act like him?

ADVENT PRAYER: Lord, let me see your glory. Show me your salvation.

Reflections brought to you by the Immersed in Christ Ministry

www.ImmersedinChrist.org