The Mouth of the Lord Is Still Speaking


"A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken."  (Isaiah 40:3-5 NRSV)

The story was recently told of a boss who, when confronted with their lack of production, absence of truthfulness, and willingness to plagiarize without thought of credit to others, simply looked at the person leveling the complaint and shouted, 'Do you know who I am?" A thousand potential answers filled the recipient's mind at that moment, but silence seemed to be the most appropriate and, given that the two Board members present offered no support, the intimidation of the bully-boss held sway. So it seems to continue in a myriad of ways in our culture today, 'If caught in a lie, intimidate until the lie has a life of its own. No one will dare challenge you again.'
One problem with that logic though, the mouth of the Lord has not finished speaking. The One who comes arrives in Truth, Hope, Compassion and Love - and He speaks of an alternative world view where the lowly are raised up, the poor become rich, the hungry are fed, the thirsty are given refreshment, the naked are clothed, the stranger is welcomed, the sick are visited, the imprisoned are set free . . . and the one who dares to speak Truth to power is lifted up by a Voice no silence can overcome. Lies do not win. Death is defeated where angels are given Voice to sing Birth-praise and women experience the Truth of an empty tomb, then rush out to tell others. Bullies die a thousand deaths, while the faithful experience eternal Joy in the Presence of the One who comes to Bethlehem.
God has more to say.
Advent is upon us. The Mouth of the Lord is Still Speaking. Listen, and allow the Wonder of the Spirit to lift your heart and soul in ways this world can never imagine.
Something to ponder in this days nearing Advent 2023.
(c)dcw2023
Photograph (c)dcw2022
 

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