Archives for 2017

December 19: Isaiah

Traditional Ornament: Candle or Light

Reading: Isaiah 9: 1-6

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” (Isaiah 9:1)

Darkness – this is where the Israelites find themselves in Isaiah’s time. They are living in a land of gloom and despair, they are struggling and oppressed, and in a position of weakness against a stronger adversary. But, Isaiah tells them that from this very place, a light has shone. Have hope for from this land of darkness, the Messiah will come!

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us;
Upon his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
His dominion is vast
And forever peaceful,
Upon David’s throne, and over his kingdom,
Which he confirms and sustains
By judgment and justice,
Both now and forever.”  (Isaiah 9:5-6)

Isaiah’s message reminds us that God works through dark and dire situations to bring about light and hope. In this third week of Advent we celebrate Joy. Our joy comes from the knowledge that whatever our dark circumstance, whatever our hardship, burden, fear or loss, God’s grace is sufficient for us, and from our place of darkness, He can bring forth light and hope.

© 2017 Catechist’s Aide

December 18: Esther

Traditional Ornament: Scepter or Crown

Reading: Esther 4

“Who knows – perhaps it was for a time like this that you became Queen?” (Esther 4:14)

The setting for Esther’s story involves a king (Ahasuerus) who was weak and controlled by one of his high-ranking officials (Haman), a Jew named Mordecai, who was foster father to the young and beautiful Esther who had been chosen to be queen. Because Mordecai refused to bow and honor him, Haman persuades the king to issue a decree that basically calls for the death of all Jews.

In today’s reading, Esther realizes that she is in a position to help, but she must risk her own life in order to save the lives of many. Mordecai’s reply to her that, “Who knows – perhaps it was for a time like this that you became queen?” (Esther 4:14) are words that have relevance for each of us. The words are especially relevant to lawmakers and public officials who make decisions on matters that have far-reaching effects such as the right to life and marriage. The words also have relevance for each of us, regardless of whether we are in a position of authority or not. We have to ask ourselves -what is God asking of me today, in my position, to advance His Kingdom and will I have the courage and trust in God to respond as Esther did saying, “If I perish, I perish?” (Esther 4”16)

© 2017 Catechist’s Aide

December 17: Daniel

Traditional Ornament: Lion

Reading: Daniel 6

“A savior and deliverer, working signs and wonders in heaven on earth, who saved Daniel from the lions’ power.” (Daniel 6:28)

Today’s reading comes from the time of Babylonian captivity. Daniel was among the Israelites brought to Babylon to serve in the king’s court. During the exile, Daniel found favor with the king. A group of officials, who had tried to find some fault with Daniel, approached King Darius to enact a royal decree that “for thirty days, whoever makes a petition to anyone, divine or human, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into a den of lions.” (Daniel 6:8)

It had been Daniel’s practice to pray in his home three times a day, giving thanks to God, and he continued this practice despite the king’s decree. Knowing this, the officials brought Daniel before the king, reminding him of the decree that he had enacted. Although the king sought to find a way to save Daniel, there was no legal remedy, so he handed Daniel over to be cast into the lions’ den and “to Daniel he said, ‘Your God, whom you serve so constantly, must save you.’” (Daniel 6:17)

The next morning Darius rose early and ran to the lions’ den and called out to Daniel, hoping that the Lord had saved him. Daniel responded from within the sealed pit, “My God sent his angel and closed the lions’ mouths so that they have not hurt me. For I have been found innocent before him; neither have I done you any harm, O king.” (Daniel 6:23)

We recall Daniel’s story during Advent because he foreshadows Jesus. Daniel was a descendant of Judah, just as Jesus was. Also like Jesus, Daniel was innocent. He escaped certain death in the lions’ den and Jesus defeated death through the Resurrection. Daniel’s faith in God had saved him, and this was not lost on the king who proclaimed, “the God of Daniel is to be reverenced and feared: For he is the living God, enduring forever, whose kingdom shall not be destroyed, whose dominion shall be without end.” (Daniel 6:27)

© 2017 Catechist’s Aide

December 16: Jonah

Traditional Ornament: Whale

Reading: Jonah 1-3

“But the Lord sent a great fish to swallow Jonah, and he remained in the belly of the fish three days and nights.” (Jonah 2:1)

Jonah’s story reminds us once again that the people God chooses to work through aren’t perfect. Jonah is often referred to as the reluctant prophet, but that is actually putting it mildly. When God calls on Jonah to deliver his message to the people of Nineveh, he literally runs away, boarding a boat to Tarshish instead.

We know the story of Jonah well, he tries to hide from God, but God is one step ahead of him. As he is tossed overboard during the height of the storm at sea, God sends a great fish to swallow Jonah.  He spends three days and nights in the belly of the fish. In Advent, we recall Jonah’s story because it points to Christ. “Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.” (Matthew 12:40)

There is another reason to consider Jonah this Advent. Perhaps we are more like Jonah than we think. Maybe, like Jonah, we try to hide from God and his plans for us. Maybe, like Jonah. we think we know better what we should be doing with our lives, and like Jonah, take matters into our own hands. Jonah doesn’t lack faith, but he doesn’t seem to “get” that everyone is worthy of the Lord’s mercy. This Advent we look forward to the coming of Jesus, and we should remember that he came for all of us.

© 2017 Catechist’s Aide

December 15: Elijah

Traditional Ornament: Fire

Reading: 1 Kings 18

“The Lord’s fire came down and devoured the burnt offering, wood, stones and dust and lapped up the water in the trench.” (1 Kings 18:38)

Elijah is one of the best known of the prophets of the Old Testament. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that the mission of the prophets was to give the people “education in faith and conversion of heart.” (CCC 2581) In today’s reading, Elijah provides both in dramatic fashion.

Under the rule of King Ahab, the Israelites fell into worshipping pagan gods alongside the God of Israel.  At a time of great famine and severe drought, God sent Elijah to speak with King Ahab. Elijah set up a challenge for Ahab. He tells Ahab to assemble the prophets of Baal, the pagan god whom the people believed would bring rain to the fields.  The prophets, which numbered 450, were to prepare an offering, a young bull, to Baal. Elijah instructed them to choose one of the bulls, “cut it into pieces, and place it on the wood, but start no fire.” (1 Kings 18: 23) Elijah would do the same with the other bull. Then, “you shall call upon the name of your gods, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. The God who answers with fire is God.” (1 Kings 18: 24)

The prophets of Baal called out from morning til noon, with no answer. Elijah prodded them to “call louder” but to no avail. Then Elijah told the people to draw near. He dug a trench around the altar and poured water over the offering and the wood until the water overflowed and filled the trench. Then he called out to the Lord, the God of Israel, “Answer me, Lord! Answer me that this people may know that you, Lord, are God and that you have turned their hearts back to you. The Lord’s fire came down and devoured the burnt offering, wood, stones and dust and lapped up the water in the trench. Seeing this, all the people fell prostrate and said, ‘The Lord is God!'” (1 Kings 18″ 37-39)

In the footnote for this story, we read that “this is a struggle between the Lord and Baal for the loyalties of the people of Israel.” This Advent we should ask ourselves, “where do my loyalties lie? Where do I put my faith and trust?”

© 2017 Catechist’s Aide

December 14: King David

Traditional Ornament: Crown or Star of David

Reading: 2 Samuel 7

“Your house and your kingdom are firm forever before me; your throne shall be firmly established forever'” (2 Samuel 7:16)

David is perhaps the most important person in the Old Testament. In today’s reading, we find out why. The chapter begins with David’s vision for a permanent house (temple) for the Ark of the Covenant, as opposed to the tent wherein it currently dwells. But, God has much bigger plans. Through the prophet Nathan, God makes his covenant with David, promising that He will make David a great name, a dynasty. He promises that from David’s offspring will come one who will build a temple for the Lord, one who shall be God’s own son, and he will rule over Israel forever.

The emphasis of the covenant is on permanency. In this one chapter, we find the word “forever” eight times. David’s son, Solomon, who succeeds him as king of Israel, does build a temple for God. But, it is the Messiah, Jesus Christ, to whom the covenant prophetically refers. “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1: 31-33)

© 2017 Catechist’s Aide