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Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent

Readings of the Day 
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In the first reading today, we hear the prophet Isaiah share a message
of God's power and might.  We are reminded several times
that God is the source of all creation and God is the path to
justice.  As I read these words, I found myself paradoxically
feeling both inspired and uplifted by this message as well as a little
bit afraid in contemplating God's authority.  On the one
hand, I take great comfort in knowing that the world is in God's
hands.  On the other hand, if everything is in God's hands,
that includes me too, and that means I better get in line with what
God desires.

Regardless of how I feel about them, these words offer some important
lessons for those of us who are engaged in the social ministry of the
church.  First, they teach us that when we are feeling overcome
by the challenges of the world, by the suffering and pain and trauma
that people experience, we can rest assured that God is here and God
is in charge: "Turn to me and be safe, all the ends of the
earth, for I am God; there is no other."  This takes the
pressure off of me for solving the world's problems.

The second important lesson I take from this passage is that the work
I am doing is not my work but God's: "Only in the Lord are
just deeds and power."  This truth reminds me that I need
to get myself in line with what God is doing, not expect God to bend
to my desires.  I need to be an instrument of God's will to
truly bring justice, healing, and peace to our world.

Ultimately, both of these lessons are empowering and
awe-inspiring.  We have the opportunity to co-labor with God to
bring justice to our world.  May we never take this opportunity
for granted and may we always remember that God is in charge.

Peter Weiss has been the Living Justice Advocate with Catholic
Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay in 2017.  Peter's
role is to promote justice and Catholic Social Teaching throughout the
Diocese of Green Bay.

 




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