Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.

The readings for today evoke so much in us, especially if we listen to them together with the daily news…reports on immigration and refugees, random shootings, hate crimes, health care reform, opioid addiction, wildfires, climate change, etc. “The wolf be a guest of the lamb? Huh? After all these millennia, It would seem we still can’t be civil in our disagreements nor tolerate differences, whether it be on the world stage or in our families and communities.” These readings evoke hope for sure, but also doubt and cynicism…and a longing for the peace and justice and flourishing that the prophet Isaiah promises, and which resound in today’s Psalm.

Recently, a physician I know told me that he has stopped listening to news… he wants to protect his heart and his health. Other friends have done the same, saying it’s not healthy for them spiritually.  I’m grateful to these folks because it gave me courage to acknowledge I don’t watch the news either.  There are too few voices of hope, and too much hatred. I may be uninformed, but I would rather spend time listening and watching (which needs close and careful attention) for signs of hope, of reconciliation, of humble human compassion and celebration of diversity.

In the gospel reading, Jesus praises God for what has been revealed to him yet hidden from the wise and learned. He tells his disciples that they are blessed because they see what kings and prophets have desired to see but did not see. What is it that Jesus is referring to? And 2000 years later, might it be something different?

The one we had been waiting for has come…. and he lived among us, died and is now with us for all time. Now we, the Body of Christ, is the one we are waiting for. This advent let’s pray in hope for this Body of Christ. We pray that we may be voices of hope. We pray that God make find a home in us that we may notice and bless and nourish every movement towards peace, justice, compassion, reconciliation; every moment that leads us back to God.