Lions eating hay?

Readings for Tuesday December 1, 2009

First Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 72
Gospel: Luke 10:21-24


Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; The calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them. The cow and the bear shall be neighbors, together their young shall rest; the lion shall eat hay like the ox. The baby shall play by the cobra’s den, and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair. There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD, as water covers the sea. On that day, The root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, The Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious. (Is 11:6-10)

Cows and bears as neighbors, kids playing by cobra's dens, lions eating hay like the ox ... kind of sounds like animal planet meets the twilight zone. And exactly what would cause such a drastic change in behavior of these animals? In today's passage from Isaiah we read about the stump of Jesse; and Jesse as we know is king David's father. We also know that Jesus is from the line of David, so today's passage from Isaiah is giving us great insight into the types of change that Jesus is going to bring into our world.

During this season of Advent, we reflect and prepare for the Lord's coming into this world as an infant. When Jesus came, and even still to this day He is changing things in our world, but the truth is that we haven't seen anything yet. There is still much more to come, even things that we think are impossible (such as a wolf and lamb hanging out). One day the root of Jesse will come back into this world and call all those who belong to the kingdom. And as crazy as some of these passages may sound, we would all do well to believe in Him and in His great power and glory.

Things like the calf and young lion browsing together may seem impossible, but one thing that we always need to remember that is with God, nothing is impossible.

Father above, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Thank you for all that you have blessed us with in our lives, Lord forgive us for the many times which we have taken these things for granted. Lord, help us during this advent season to prepare for you, may we rid ourselves of the things of this world and seek nothing more than your will. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.