In a communication skills training I often do, there is an activity we call “The Perspective Exercise.” Last week, in describing the activity, I used both the words “perception” and “perspective.” A student asked me, “What is the difference in the meaning of the words perception and perspective?”
I realized that I was using them as if they were synonyms, but there is a difference. Perception is what we take in with our senses: sight-hearing-smell-touch-taste. Perspective is more how our mind understands our perceptions and makes meaning from them.
Today is Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is Latin for “rejoice.” Today is the day the church begins to focus liturgy on the coming Christ-child. As we do, our readings call us to move our perspective from a focus on Christ coming at the end of time to the wonder and the magnificence of God’s wonderful plan to save us by becoming one-with-us, God-with-us, in Jesus. Today vestments are rose instead of purple, and we are encouraged to wear “rose-colored” glasses that see the world from the perspective of coming hope, love, joy, peace—all the Fruits of God’s Holy Spirit active in the world.
Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10
Our first reading is a hymn written by the “first” Isaiah. The historical situation is dark indeed. In Chapter 36 of Isaiah the Assyrians camp around Jerusalem and hold it in siege. However, the Lord saves the city as King Hezekiah and Isaiah confer and pray in Chapter 37. Nonetheless, the first Isaiah ends his prophecy abruptly in Chapter 39. Isaiah 40 was written about a hundred years later from the perspective of living in Babylon.
But today, Isaiah speaks of goodness when the Lord comes to save. Through the centuries this hymn has been interpreted as being about the Messiah, the one who will come to save.
Our Advent hymns give the poetry voice as we sing “Every Valley” or “Ready the Way of the Lord” or “The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns.”
It is fascinating that Isaiah wrote this hymn at a time when his perceptions were destruction and defeat, yet his perspective saw beyond the troubles of the time to a life of being ruled by a Savior who would open the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf, who would let the lame walk and the mute sing, who would flatten mountains, raise up valleys, and turn deserts into gardens.
Today, let us pause to put on Isaiah’s rose-colored glasses and see the world around us with hope.
James 5:7-10
Today’s second reading comes from the book of James. James is a short book that is full of practical advice for living life as a Christian. Traditionally, it was written by James the Just, a relative of Jesus, who was the first bishop of Jerusalem. He was martyred in 62 AD. Some scholars believe it was written later by someone speaking in his name.
Today’s selection is right before James describes the beginnings of the Sacrament of the Sick (James 5:13-16). It gives perspective to perceptions of suffering. James is practical: suffering is easier to bear if you don’t let yourself grumble and complain. Find ways to “hold steadfast.” Have courage. Look for examples, such as Isaiah, and perceive the world through the perspective of faith.
Matthew 11:2-11
Today’s Gospel takes place some time during Jesus initial ministry in Galilee—the first year of his public life. He is now fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy. The blind are seeing, the lame are walking, the deaf are hearing. John is now in prison, put there by King Herod. He will soon be beheaded. John knows that his job is to make ready for the Messiah. He doubtless remembers when he baptized Jesus. Did he see the dove and hear the voice then? Gospels differ on that. But now he hears what Jesus is doing. Certainly, the question he sends his disciples to ask Jesus is burning in his soul. “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look to another?”
Jesus does not directly say, “I am he. I am the Messiah.” He doesn’t start saying that until much later. Instead, he speaks in the code of Isaiah. He defines himself as matching the hymn that was our first reading today.
He comments then on how great and important John the Baptist is, though he also says, “yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
Applications
Applications today can go in many directions, though I think the theme of perceptions and perspectives can be a guide for what direction each of us might take.
Whether you see through the eyes and heart of Isaiah, James, or John the Baptist today, the perception is of troubles. Does the news and activities of the world around us trouble you? Spend time with Isaiah today. Is it a matter of personal weariness, depression, physical ailments, or general angst of the season? Let James guide you. Are you struggling with meaning in life? Look to John. Are you confused? Pray as one of John’s disciples.
Are you not in a space of focus on troubles? Are you more into the joy of the day and the tasks and joys of the Christmas season? Then perhaps your application is to make Christ’s healing presence felt in your corner of the world.
- Who is lame, and cannot get where they want to go? Is there someone you can give a ride to a Christmas concert or church social gathering or liturgy?
- Who is blind, and cannot see God’s goodness around them? Is there someone who is lonely or depressed or angry at the world, that you could visit or take a meal to?
- Who is deaf, and cannot/will not hear God’s Word as it is spoken in church? Is there someone at odds with God that you can speak to through a conversation or shared Christmas movie?
- Who is mute, because there is no one to listen? Who can you spend time with, just listening?
Finally, consider, what gives you joy in the Lord? Do it today.
Prayer:
- Jesus, you came, yet still there is darkness and sadness and evil in the world. You came, and people are still lame, blind, deaf, and mute. You came…and you call a sentence from Vatican II to my mind, “The laity, however, are given this special vocation: to make the Church present and fruitful in those places and circumstances where it is only through them that she can become the salt of the earth.” (Lumen Gentium, paragraph 33)
- Lord, keep coming. Keep coming through me. Keep coming through your church. Help us to bring healing and joy.
