climbing advent mountain
"Come, let us climb the Lord's mountain." —Isaiah 2:3
Advent is a time for mountain-climbing. It is climbing with all nations (Is 2:2) the highest mountain so that the Lord "may instruct us in His ways, and we may walk in His paths" (Is 2:3). Advent is being like Moses. We climb Mt. Sinai, receive the Ten Commandments, descend radiant with God's glory, and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus (see Ex 19:2ff). As more and more people climb God's holy mountain this Advent to hear and share His word, "the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord, as water covers the sea" (Is 11:9). Then "they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again" (Is 2:4).
This Advent, climb the Lord's mountain. Receive and proclaim the Word of God. Give the world the true peace of Christmas. This Advent, be a peacemaker (Mt 5:9), minister of God's Word, and mountain-climber. From the heights of the mountain, shout: "Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth" (Lk 2:14, our transl).
Prayer: Father, make me a guide for spiritual mountain-climbers before, during, and after the climb.
Promise: "I am not worthy to have You under my roof. Just give an order and my boy will get better." —Mt 8:8
Praise: Broken by ill health and bankruptcy, Arlene holds to God as the Center of her being.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our leaflet, An Isaiah Advent.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Bishop-Elect, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 26, 2011 (for 10-1-2011 through 11-29-2011) and May 26, 2011 (for 11-30-2011)
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