One of the most fascinating things that I have ever seen on our family farm, even to this day, has been watching my dad call the cattle in. It seems like such an odd event it is almost captivating to watch each and every time that he does it- and it never really seems to get old. What happens each time is that my dad will go out a very short distance into the field, or perhaps to a gate, and he will call out to the cows. He usually only has to do it two or three times, and then almost immediately, you’ll hear cows calling back to him. Then, in a matter of minutes, the entire heard of cattle will be standing right there in front of him. It comes from dad calling out to them in just a small way, and they immediately come forward and will even start running to find dad and see what he wants.
Usually, there is a purpose behind this also- and the cattle know this very well. When dad calls, he has some sort of mineral, some feed, or he is getting ready to transfer them to a completely new pasture- and they are usually all too eager to switch to that new place. However, it follows that same pattern each and every time- dad calls, and the cattle respond!
Though we are certainly different in so many ways from cattle, there is some sense that we aren’t all too unfamiliar with this call and response in our own life. Many times we are called to in full voice, but it is likely that we are more familiar with a smaller and more interior voice- that very one that God uses to call out to us. When He calls out, it doesn’t tend to be something of an empty call or words and phrases that mean nothing, but rather He often speaks to us in a message that is immersed in the need for conversion. Even in this Advent Season itself, we are given that powerful message and need for conversion. However, there is a question that remains: are we, when we hear this message and call for repentance and conversion, do we respond? What does that call look like in each of our lives right now?
We continue with Isaiah this week, and this reading can really seem to be one of the major “Advent stories” that we are used to hearing every year. Isaiah begins with this prophecy about the Messiah, “A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him:” and we are told exactly what that spirit is going to look like. It will have wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, fear of the Lord. This shows something important- that this one that is sent will have the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and therefore will be enjoying the strength of the Lord in what he sends him to do. Further, we are told about the characteristics of this one who is sent: Justice will be the band around his waist, faithfulness will be the belt.
What is striking though is the way that it seems that nature itself will turn on it’s head. The wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the kid, the cow and bear shall be neighbors. Even the baby shall play by the cobra’s den. None of these things would ever happen in the course of our usual human experience, and yet here is a prophet saying they will all happen! This truly is a moment that is unlike any other. We are told that the root of Jesse will be set up as a signal for the nations, and even the Gentiles will seek out his dwelling- for it shall truly be glorious!
All of this sounds beautiful, and tells of a great occasion of that sprout coming- but what must one do to prepare for that coming?
In the second reading, we hear from Saint Paul and his letter to the Romans. This passage actually harkens back to a theme that we investigated to some degree last week, and yet it continues onwards in allowing us to really consider and ponder what we are to do to further that same theme of hope. So, we are given instruction that we are supposed to continue to live in endurance and harmony with one another, so that we can praise God in one accord. Yet, further, they are instructed to welcome one another- as Christ has welcomed us for the glory of God- and it isn’t something just for the Roman churches at that time, but for all.
Finally, we arrive at the Gospel according to Matthew, and we begin dealing with a character that is familiar to us, especially as we celebrate the season of Advent. We are told about John the Baptist, who is this great forerunner of Jesus, and comes to tell about Him even before His appearance on Earth. Yet, even as we might expect him to prophecy about Jesus’s coming strictly, he actually tells about the need to prepare for that coming. What does John the Baptist say, exactly? He speaks “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Isaiah is tied in as the one who continues to cry out in the desert for one to prepare the way of the Lord- and to make straight his paths. He goes about living this life that is radically different than everyone else’s, and it shows that he is set aside simply for the Lord’s work. Yet, as they go along, there are Sadducees and Pharisees also coming along- and they are showing up for baptism. This would seem like a good thing, but the reality was that they were doing it for show, and not to become better individuals. So, he is reminding them that there is a need for conversion- he calls out, and that call deserves a response!
And, as certainly as John the Baptist called out to those in his day, he continues to call out to us today in a particular way as well. Brothers and sisters, we do live in the time after Jesus has come, and we know all about the fact that Jesus does come into our midst. Yet it isn’t enough to have that fact, but it should fill us with faith, and it should change our lives. Yet, first we need to realize- John the Baptist is calling out to each of us right now. It may not be in the same context as he was calling out in so long ago, but he is calling out to us nonetheless! We are being given that same message- the kingdom of heaven is indeed at hand!
Yet, as we hear that message, what does it mean exactly? It is an encouragement for us to consider what we need to do to make ready for that coming. If we believe that message that the kingdom of heaven is at hand, then it is going to motivate us to make changes in our lives. That message of John the Baptist was in fact the same message of conversion from so long ago. Conversion means a moving away from one thing to another, and it often requires a tremendous deal of effort, especially in considering what it takes for one to get ready for that kingdom of heaven. Thus, conversion may be a work that each of us have to do in a particular way- perhaps it is something we wish we did better, such as obey or honor our parents, or perhaps if we partook in gossip just a little less. Whatever it is- it requires us to change what we are doing, to come, to hear that message, but then to finally be changed and changed for the better!
Finally, we should be aware of the fact that we are not only meant to embrace conversion ourselves, but that we are also meant to encourage others to conversion as well. We can all likely think of individuals in our lives who we feel may not be embracing Jesus as well as they could. Maybe we even feel that they aren’t making room for Him in their lives at all. Often, the temptation in these moments may be to say something, or to live and let live, or perhaps even give up if we feel that there will be no discernable difference in the future. It’s not up to us to make that determination, but we are to be John the Baptist and to call out to them nonetheless.
As I reflect back on it, it was beautiful the way that my dad was able to call out to the cattle, and they would stop and immediately come running home. We may not think of it necessarily that way- but now is the time of repentance, for the kingdom of heaven is indeed at hand. May we heed the call of John the Baptist, and our God, and truly prepare the way for the Lord, who is coming and will not delay.
