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Wednesday 3rd Week of
Advent
The Institute
December 16, 2015
LIGHT & DARKNESS FOR ISAIAH +++++++++++++++++
Ø According 2 Isaiah
Lord creates both light & darkness, well-being and woe
Ø Unexplainable Y G creates
& directs darkness & woe equally as he forms light & well-being
Ø Not possible 4 us 2
understand God’s decisions
Ø Isaiah ridicules those
who pretend 2 advise G & 2 understand his ways
Ø Asks: “Who’s held in a cup dust of the earth,
weighed mountains in scales & hills in balance?”
Ø In short, God must
have an answer that’s so sublime none of us can comprehend it
LIGHT & DARKNESS
FOR JOHN ++++++++++++++++++
Ø These contrary forces
meet in another way in the Gospel
Ø John, already
imprisoned by Herod & surrounded by darkness & woe, sends messengers to
J
Ø Question John asks
shows darkness & quandary he felt, “Are
you He who is come or are we to
expect someone else?”
Ø Js’ reply brings light
to John, even in his dark dungeon: “Go
and report… The blind recover their sight, cripples walk, lepers are cured, the
deaf hear, dead people are raised to life, and the poor have the good news
preached to them”
Ø He’ll know J=promised
one, becz of healing works
Ø Yet, same acts of
compassion denied to John, who stays in prison, & is soon 2B executed becz of
revenge of Herodias & weakness of Tetrarch
LIGHT & DARKNESS
FOR US ++++++++++++++++++++
Ø We’re also invited 2 believe
in J as Lord of life & death, present in both strength & weakness
Ø But being true to him
requires a strong faith
Ø When we enjoy
prosperity, forget presence of G
Ø Similarly, amid pain &
disappointment we can B embittered & rebel against G
Ø If we’re sick, should
believe J has power 2 cure,
even if he not do so, just as he left John in prison
Ø If we enjoy good
health, must see it as G’s gift 2 be shared & spent for others
CONCLUSION
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø This age old question is being played out today in your life and mine
Ø John helps us deal w/ dilemma by saying yes to all of life, good and the
bad, joy and the suffering
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
