The Baptism of Christ, Grigory Gagarin, c. 1840–1850

Fr. Smith’s Commentary on the First Reading
Isaiah 55:1–11
January 10, 2021

Advent / Christmastide is the season of Isaiah as we continue reading the book of Isaiah in all its manifestations. This week, we will examine the conclusion of the writings of Isaiah of Babylon. He addressed the Jewish leaders exiled in Babylon after the final destruction and abandonment of Jerusalem in 586 BC. This was after Babylon itself was conquered in 539 BC by Cyrus, the Assyrian king. Cyrus offered the Jews in Babylon return to Jerusalem if they rebuilt it and functioned as their colonial administration. Isaiah of Babylon—usually called second Isaiah as he was the second person to use this name—is a man of notable talent who provides political commentary, a theology of history, eloquent exhortations to Justice, and much else. Yet we must remember that he is also a propagandist for the LORD. He sought to convince people to take up this invitation and return to Jerusalem and rebuild Jewish life. In this passage today, he reviews his best arguments and reveals a lesson for us in the here and very now.

Continue reading “Baptism of the Lord – Responding to God’s Call” →

The Magi Journeying (Les rois mages en voyage), James Tissot, 1886-1894 (Brooklyn Museum)
(About this Image)

Fr. Smith’s Commentary on the First Reading
Feast of the Epiphany
Isaiah 60:1–6
January 3, 2021

The first reading for the feast of the Epiphany is standard and doesn’t change every year. You may find previous commentaries for 2019 (Jan. 6, 2019) and 2020 (Jan. 5, 2020). As Isaiah speaks today of light and salvation, it is a perfect selection for Epiphany. It also, as we have seen over the years, contains many images and thoughts which give it a certain complexity. Reviewing it every year reveals what I have learned about the First Testament over the previous year and how it can be applied to our immediate situation.

There are some elements which however are central and constant. Three people used or were given the name Isaiah. A more complete background of the three Isaiahs may be found in the commentary for December 13, 2020. Let us however review the highlights. First Isaiah lived in Jerusalem and was an active prophet between roughly 700 and 695 BC., second Isaiah lived in Babylon after the people had been brought into captivity around 540 BC and third Isaiah had returned to Jerusalem and wrote around 515 BC.

Continue reading “Epiphany – Making Justice Our Aim” →

Simeon and Anna Praise the infant Jesus, Arent de Gelder, c. 1700, Mauritshuls (The Haugue)

Fr. Smith’s Commentary on the First Reading
Solemnity of the Holy Family
Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
December 27, 2020

The theme of barrenness is prominent throughout both testaments. We see it for the with Sarah in today’s reading. However, in Genesis alone, there is Rebecka and Rachael. We need also remember Samson’s mother and Hannah in Judges and 1 Samuel. In the New Testament, there is most famously Elizabeth and in Christian legend, Anne the mother of Mary. We can look at this sentimentally as a feeling of loss but in the ancient Mid-East, especially in the Old Testament, this was a serious problem on many levels.

First spiritually, people did not believe in an afterlife and eternity would be through one’s children and further progeny. In today’s reading the LORD tells Abram that he is his “Shield” and that his reward will be very great. Abram’s response might seem to us ungrateful or even rude “O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless (Ge 15:2.) Indeed, he continues: “See, you have given me no offspring, and so one of my servants will be my heir.” (Ge 15:3)

Continue reading “Solemnity of the Holy Family – Trusting and Laughing with the Lord” →

The Annunciation, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, c. 1660, Hermitage

Fr. Smith’s Commentary on the First Reading
Fourth Sunday of Advent
2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16
December 20, 2020

Today’s reading from Samuel seems very pious. No doubt David is sincere in his desire to show respect, but the LORD is aware that there is another motive as well. This section is quite subtle and has much to teach us

Let us remember the situation, after Moses, about 1350 BC, the Hebrews were a loose coalition of tribes with similar religious beliefs and a shared dietary code. They desired to be as independent as possible but often needed to unite to fight a common enemy. At this time, they would determine a leader – a war chief – who world organize an army and lead it until they won or lost. This leader was called a judge. This system was like the confederations around them.

Continue reading “4th Sunday of Advent – The Gift of Ourselves to Him” →

Our Lady of Guadalupe on the Tilma of Saint Juan Diego
(About this Image)

Fr. Smith’s Commentary on the First Reading
Third Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 61:1–2A, 10–11
December 13, 2020

Our passage today is again from the third person to use the name Isaiah. The author chose his name very well as he combines the interests and concerns of both of his predecessors.

First Isaiah began his ministry in 742 BC, the year King Uzziah died. This is significant. Uzziah had reigned for 40 years and had greatly increased the GDP of his kingdom. But he did so by favoring and elite and creating prosperity for some by taking the properties of those not connected to the powerful. This was compounded by his successors who made alliances with Assyria requiring the Judeans to pay vast sums in protection money which the rich managed to avoid further impoverishing the peasants. It is clear why in the very first chapter of Isaiah God says to the people:  

Continue reading “3rd Sunday of Advent – Rejoicing Heartily in the Lord” →

John the Baptist, Alexandre Cabanel, 1849, Musée Fabre (France – Montpellier)

Fr. Smith’s Commentary on the 1st Reading
Second Second of Advent
Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11
December 6, 2020

Today, we read the opening of what has come to be known as “Second Isaiah,” the writings of the second person to use the name Isaiah: Yahweh is salvation. The first as we have seen many times was an 8^th century BC prophet, “Isaiah of Jerusalem”. Despite being a prophet, he was well connected to the king and his court. The Isaiah from whom we read today, “Isaiah of Babylon,” wrote from the community of exiled Jewish leaders in Babylon sometime after 539 BC. Despite the difference of time and place they share similar ideas. The first is the nature of the call itself.

Our passage opens with:

Comfort, give comfort to my people,
says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her
that her service is at an end,

(Is 40:1–2b)

Continue reading “2nd Sunday of Advent – Wanting Nothing More Than to Know and Love Us” →

Photo by Courtney Cook on Unsplash

Fr. Smith’s Commentary on the First Reading
First Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 63:16B-17, 19B; 64:2-7
November 29, 2020

There is a sense of desperation in today’s reading from Isaiah.  As we will see, it is justified and has a very specific cause. Yet, although specific, it has much to teach us.

We will read today roughly from Isaiah 63:16-64:7. This was written by the third person to use the name Isaiah. He was among the Jews who accepted the offer of King Cyrus, the Assyrian conqueror of Babylon, to return to Jerusalem as one of his colonial administrators. This was in 546 BC; he is writing about 500 BC. There have been so many difficulties that many of the colonists are questioning their mission. Isaiah will answer them in a very Jewish way.

Continue reading “1st Sunday of Advent – The Work of God’s Hands” →