NOTE: Throughout the Advent season, we’ll post a reflection on the readings for the upcoming Sunday in Advent just a few days before so individuals and groups can reflect in anticipation or incorporate it into their meetings, homilies, etc. The reflection will be available on our homepage through the weekend and then archived on our Advent 2024 webpage.
The reflection below is written by Fr. John Rausch from the 2015 Advent reflection booklet, “The promise of light.” This year’s booklet, “Seeking Wisdom’s Light” by Leslye Colvin, is still available for purchase at this link as an immediate download for your tablet or e-reader for $2.50.
by Fr. John Rausch, GLMY
Pax Christi USA 2007 Teacher of Peace
Originally published in 2015
Micah 5:1-4 | Hebrews 10:5-10 | Luke 1:39-45
“But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah …” Micah 5:1
From little, no-count Bethlehem will come the ruler of the new Israel. Consistently throughout scripture, God uses the small, weak and least to confront the proud and arrogant. Recall:
- Joseph, hopelessly sold into slavery, transforms his fate into a saving situation for his family during drought;
- Hebrew slaves, from a dismal life making bricks, turn back the world’s strongest army at the Red Sea;
- David, too small to wear battle armor, defeats the heavyweight champion of the Philistines.
Add to these biblical heroes modern lights, like Dorothy Day, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Oscar Romero whose truths prophetically confronted the smart and powerful. While our list of contemporary gospel witnesses could fill a telephone directory, we still might miss the smallest, weakest and least prophetic voices among us. At a time when the earth is imperiled from climate change, the lilies of the field, the birds of the air, and the top soil beneath our feet proclaim the truth of creation and beg us to care for it.
John the Baptist, as prophet, initially leapt in the womb for joy recognizing the Messiah, but later his prophetic lifestyle of eating low on the food chain taught simple living by recognizing his humble place in creation. Jesus drew from agricultural images [using] seeds, vineyards and sheep, implying that to understand the reign of God demands appreciating the plants and animals of our physical earth.
As we rediscover our place in the web of life, we’ll see the interconnectedness of all creation. With our intellect and will, we can assume our prophetic role as stewards of the smallest sparrow, the tiny wildflower, and the most endangered species. God could again be using the least to confront the mentality of our arrogance and power.
- How many names of creature neighbors do you know, i.e., birds, wildflowers, or trees?
- Has voiceless creation become the new poor with others of Matthew 25?