mountain ranges
"For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain." —Isaiah 25:10
As Advent begins, we hear about God's mountain. Nations would stream to that mountain to receive instruction in God's ways, and God's word would go forth from that mountain (Is 2:2-3). This teaching of God's word would result in universal peace (Is 2:4).
"On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines" (Is 25:6). "On this mountain He will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; He will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces; the reproach of His people He will remove from the whole earth" (Is 25:7-8). So the mountain of peace will also be a mountain of plenty, freedom, life, and healing.
Jesus began to fulfill Isaiah's prophecies of the holy mountain when He preached the Sermon on the Mount, multiplied the loaves and fish on the mountainside (Mt 15:29ff), carried the cross up Mount Calvary, and ascended to the Father from a mountain in Galilee (Mt 28:16).
We share in the fulfillment of Isaiah's mountain prophecies when we live the Sermon on the Mount, celebrate the breaking of the bread (the Eucharist), take up our daily cross, and rise from the dead by the power of the Spirit.
This Advent, climb the Lord's mountain.
Prayer: Father, may this Christmas be for me a mountain-top experience of Your love.
Promise: "Large crowds of people came to Him bringing with them cripples, the deformed, the blind, the mute, and many others besides. They laid them at His feet and He cured them." —Mt 15:30
Praise: Each Advent, Marie makes a decision to focus on the holy season of Advent instead of getting "caught up" with secular Christmas celebrations.
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 4, 2009
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