Keep company with Isaiah

By REV. JOHN P. ROSSON- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

It's Advent again! Advent brings us in contact with the prophet Isaiah.

Isaiah ministered from 740 to 700 B.C. He received the sad task of delivering the worst news the Jewish people had ever read in their more than 1,000 years of history: Invaders would overrun their two nations, Israel in the north and Judah in the south.

Most Jews lucky enough to survive would be led off as captives. Israel would no longer exist on the world map.

Isaiah was the "bad news prophet."

But his message did not end on this bitter note. God, Isaiah said, would bring the Jewish survivors home for a fresh start. God would send a messiah from King David's family to set up a kingdom more wonderful than the Jews could imagine.

Isaiah was also the prophet of the Messiah. He foretold Christmas 700 years before it became history - so, Advent looks to Isaiah for inspiration and hope.

The biblical book of Isaiah is known as the "fifth Gospel." New Testament writers recognize his prophecies about Jesus and quote Isaiah some 50 times - more than any other book in the Hebrew Bible.

"The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call Him Immanuel - 'God with us,'" reads Isaiah 7:14. The prophet sounds like a time traveler who witnessed the birth, ministry and execution of Jesus.

On Sunday, the Church lights the first candle of the Advent wreath, the "prophet's candle." Advent gets cheated by a culture of buying and binging. Advent is a holy season of waiting and watching for the greatest event in all of history. Isaiah reminds us what Advent will bring: the birth of the Messiah. That birth is world-changing.

Like the other prophets, Isaiah scanned the horizon for signs of the Messiah who would reveal God's glory. Others had the spiritual vision to recognize and receive the Messiah when He came as a vulnerable infant in a manger. The season of Advent itself is a sign for us.

If you want some good company to entertain this Advent - the season of waiting is only 28 days long this year - keep company with Isaiah.

(Father Rosson is pastor of St. Mary's/Our Lady of the Lake parish in Cooperstown.)

Once again, Rev. John Rosson offers a series of reflections for Advent; his theme this year is those who "coach" us through the season.[[In-content Ad]]