A Time Of Preparation
We are approaching a beautiful time of the liturgical year, the Advent season. This time of expectation is about preparing for the “coming” of Jesus in the celebration of his birth. It is a time filled with anticipation; as the Church makes present the expectancy of the Messiah by helping us renew our longing for His second coming.
The whole life of Jesus is a mystery. He humbled Himself by taking on our humanity to free us from sin. We also recall in our Creed that He will come again to judge the living and the dead. We must be ready to meet Him when He comes again!
For more than 20 months we have been observing a political calamity with pundits pontificating, social media debating and the news media incorrectly predicting the outcome of a presidential election. Now, the Church is asking us to spend just four weeks preparing for the real Savior of the world. Christ represents light as He entered the world to scatter the darkness of evil, and show us the path for righteousness.
The day after the election I was in Eucharistic Adoration, and I was led to read Ezekiel chapters 17 and 18. I was very curious to read what this ancient prophet in the Old Testament wrote. Ezekiel was an interesting figure in Israelite prophecy. He clearly depends on his predecessors and, like Jeremiah, was a priest. He is called the Father of Judaism, and was the first prophet to receive the call outside of the Holy Land. He was exiled by Nebuchadnezzar in 597 AD and prepared the countrymen in Babylon for the final destruction of Jerusalem. He reproaches Israel for past and present sins, and warns of further devastation for the land of promise. His prophecy was about the promise of salvation in a new covenant, and laying down the conditions to obtain it. Ezekiel believed the exiles were the hope for Israel’s restoration. In his vision, past sins would be forgiven, and the rule of the land re-established under the rule of the Lord God. He stressed that the absolute majesty of God would create a new heart and spirit, not the work of man.
Ezekiel chapter 17 is titled “The Eagles and the Vine.” The first eagle (King of Babylon) plants a cedar branch near water and fertile field, but will it prosper? The trees of the field represent the rulers of the world and nations governed by them. The appointed King Zedekiah was enticed by Pharaoh, King of Egypt (the second eagle) and formed an alliance with Egypt, which brought on swift and total destruction of Jerusalem. Ezekiel revealed that Zedekiah would pay for his evil deeds, but God would fulfill His promises. Israel would be restored under a Messianic King from the Davidic Dynasty, and would be exalted at a latter time through the life of Jesus Christ. God’s promise to the House of David was an unconditional guarantee that the prosperity of Israel would continue forever, no matter what the moral and spiritual condition of the people. It is clear that Zedekiah along with all his evil advisors and the rebellious city caused the ruin of Jerusalem. God’s promises to the House of David would be honored with new governing personnel, the King of Kings, Jesus.
Chapter 18 of Ezekiel is titled: “Personal Responsibility.” This message is very clear, as individuals we must keep all of God’s statutes. The Israelites thought they were paying for the past sins of their ancestors. Their attitude was fatalistic, and they were asking for God’s justice. God’s government and justice are equitably fair. Salvation through the Grace of God is how we create a new heart and a new country. We must comply with the conditions that will enable God to save us. Repent and make clear the way for the Lord! Amen!
