Sometimes, it can be difficult to see the relevance of the Old Testament in our lives today. We sit in mass and there can be a lot going on around us, distracting our attention from the mass readings. I say this because I am guilty of it myself. I find that I am most inspired by Scripture (yes, even the Old Testament!) when I sit in the quiet morning hours and let the Holy Spirit guide my heart. It also gives me a chance to research words or phrases that I don’t understand from the readings to get a full view context. Things such as, who is Jesse? And who exactly were the Gentiles? Looking into these details brings the story of salvation to life.
As Saint Augustine said, ‘the old is revealed in the new,’ showing how the Old Testament’s rich meanings point toward the fulfillment found in the New Testament. It assures us that God is faithful to His promises, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Isaiah, a prophet of the Old Testament, prophecies Jesus as the “root of Jesse” and describes all of the things Jesus would do. Isaiah describes Jesus’s justice, wisdom, understanding, counsel and strength. And it was all true! We know because we have the whole history of Jesus through the inspired Word of God. The Bible outlines a true, glorious story that is also our story. Our history.
How good is our God that He sent prophets like Isaiah to share in the good news that was to come? And also so encouraging! St. Paul emphasizes the importance of the Old Testament in the second reading when he says “Whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, that by endurance and by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” The LORD asks that we trust in His promises and meet Him in the Scriptures to give us strength and encouragement for the journey. This is not a gift for the Jewish people of old or the apostles only. While we did not personally experience Jesus walking the earth, we get to experience him in the rich traditions of our faith, the Word of God, and the Eucharist. In a way we are waiting, but not for the rescue operation to begin. For God in His goodness made true of His promise to send us His Son.
John the Baptist makes it clear in today’s Gospel that our story isn’t over, as he warns the Pharisees and Sadducees, calling them to repent. He exclaimed “the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” There will come a time when Jesus comes again for us to take us home. How are you preparing for His return? Is it something you think about often, or only when it’s mentioned in a homily? This is not a judgment on my part, because I have been there, needing reminders to spend time with the LORD. While you and I excitedly wait for all the (often worldly) joys that Christmas brings, I hope you can sit in quiet during this Advent season with the Word of God in the mass readings, asking Him to prepare your heart and mind for when Jesus will come again.