Wednesday, December 5, 2018

December 5, 2018



ESCAPE TO THE MOUNTAINS

 INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 1st Wednesday in Advent is, “Escape to the Mountains.”

One of the themes we find in the Scriptures is mountains are safe places to hide.
We know this from Westerns - where bad guys hide out - and good guys go for healing.

If you’ve  ever been to Israel, you are aware that there are sections where there are strings of Mountains.

UNITED STATES

I lived in Lima Ohio before coming to Annapolis. Lima was Midwest. Lima flat and soybean farmers had flattening out the land as a goal - so it would be easier with the rain - and with growing - and with reaping and planting.

To get to Lima from the east we had to go through a town called Crestline and it was just that. West of that the land had crested.

Right down the eastern part of the United States we have the Appalachian and right down the west of the United States was the Rockies.
So hopefully we know mountains.

TODAY’S READINGS

We find mountains in both readings for today.

In today’s first reading from Isaiah we have the Lord promising all people a place to feast - where there was good wine and rich food.

In today’s first reading from Isaiah we have the promise of safety. The web that can catch us  - tie us up - will be destroyed.

Tears will be wiped away - because we have discovered safety and security on that mountain.

Today’s gospel is similar. A vast crowd of people show up to find Christ - and they meet him on a mountain - where we feeds everyone
.
Like the first reading, people get more than food. They are healed of blindness and crippling.

And there are leftovers.

Healing message - helpful message - hopeful message.

CONCLUSION

If you ever get a chance to go to high places - take the elevator to the roof. I am so glad I went to the top of the World Trade Center at least 2 times.

If you’re ever outriding or traveling across or down the USA, if you see a sign, Scenic Overview, check it out.

If you have a choice of a window seat or an aisle seat, on a flight, take the window seat.

See the big picture.

It will help your prayer life.

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