Shalom

Greetings on this the Thursday of the Third Week in Advent
Readings: Is 54:1-10; PS 30:2 and 4, 5-6, 11-12a and 13b; Lk 7:24-30
Notes: The LORD has a plan. A plan of peace.

In the gospel portion today, describes the call to repentance and the two distinct reactions. Repentance leads to peace. Divine peace.

Repentance isn’t the end of the journey.
It is a pathway to the final end.

but the Pharisees and scholars of the law,
who were not baptized by him,
rejected the plan of God for themselves.

The Pharisees and scholars of the law rejected peace, shalom.

First reading
This is for me like the days of Noah:
As I swore then that the waters of Noah
should never again flood the earth,
So I have sworn now not to be angry with you,
or to rebuke you.

Though the mountains fall away
and the hills be shaken,
My love shall never fall away from you
nor my covenant of peace be shaken,
says the LORD, who has mercy on you.

The love of the LORD is the predominant, primary reality of God the Father.
He deals with us in a variety of ways:

• direct intercession
• indirect intercession
• ignoring us (for a time)
• scolding us (if just a little)
• lavishing blessings upon us

Yet all of it is to bring Shalom.
Rescue from ourselves, our follies and our enemies.

Yet all of it is to bring Shalom.

My covenant with him was the life and peace which I gave him,
and the fear he had for me, standing in awe of my name (Mal 2:5).

Sidenote: this is a clear indication that translation of Fear of the Lord means to be in Awe.

Responsorial Psalm
I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger lasts but a moment;
a lifetime, his good will.
At nightfall, weeping enters in,
but with the dawn, rejoicing.

Alleluia Verse
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths:
All flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Gospel Portion
I give you Luke’s parenthetical comment at the end of the gopel portion today.

(All the people who listened, including the tax collectors,
who were baptized with the baptism of John,
acknowledged the righteousness of God;
but the Pharisees and scholars of the law,
who were not baptized by him,
rejected the plan of God for themselves.)

Repentance is the good path to the better outcome which is peace with God and man.
Don’t reject the plan of peace.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry