Future hope

Isaiah 29 : 17 -24

When that day comes.......poor and humble people will once again find the happiness which the Lord, the holy God of Israel, gives. (GNB)

Matthew 9: 27 - 31

Many of the readings from the prophet Isaiah during Advent bring comfort to our waiting. We are waiting people - ever since we came into this world, there has always been waiting. Sometimes this waiting is joyfully expectant, as when we await a celebration or coming of someone we love. Sometimes our senses are dulled as we routinely wait for public transport...that is nearly always late. But sometimes, our waiting is more solemn, as we wait for a loved one who is sick, to get better, as we hope. And sometimes the waiting is ominous when we suspect the news may not be too good.

Here, Isaiah speaks about a day when the deaf and the blind are at last freed from their limitations. He declares that the poor and humble will find happiness. This happened once just over 2000 years ago when the second member of the Trinity came in the flesh to dwell among us. Indeed his inaugural statement of ministry was to the poor, the blind the lame, the captives......The second reading from Matthew reminds us that indeed Jesus inaugurated such a day. He healed the blind in this instance. The men cried out in expectant trust - 'have pity on us'. And their waiting, all those years of dark waiting came to an end.

So it is and will be for each one who trusts in the Lord. In times of darkness, I have found that often, when I stop struggling, I actually catch glimpses of light (perhaps an insight here, or a word of comfort there, or just a deep sense of God's presence)......For some, these glimpses become full sight when the darkness is removed here and now. For others, the glimpses become important reminders that 'when that day comes' .......we will find lasting fulfillment.