The Second Sunday of Advent (Year A), Dec. 9, 2007
BCP: Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72 or 72:1-8; Rom. 15:4-13; Matt. 3:1-12
RCL: Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Rom. 15:4-13; Matt. 3:1-12
There are three magnificent stained glass windows in the west end of the nave of Chartres Cathedral in France. One of them is the famous Tree of Jesse window from the 12th century. Jesse (David’s father) is found at the bottom in a reclining position; the stem of the family tree grows upward from his groin. Above him are panels representing four kings of Judah. Above them is Mary, the rod or shoot, and at the top, Jesus, the fruit or flower, surrounded by seven white doves, symbolizing the gifts of the Spirit (Isaiah 11:2). Fourteen prophets, who foretold the coming of a Messiah, flank the tree in glass half-medallions.
The white light of the afternoon sun is transformed by the pieces of stained glass into a rich tapestry of vibrant color. The symphony of color in this window has been called “visual music.” One purpose of the window is to portray in picture form the prophecy of Isaiah (11:1 and 10 and quoted by Paul in Romans 15:12). More subtly, the window suggests that as the light passing through the window is transformed, so may that same light be transformed as it passes through the one viewing the window itself.
One meaning of Isaiah’s prophecy is that the lineage of the Messiah (“a little child shall lead them” [11:6]) will be firmly rooted in the covenant people. Paul expands on Isaiah’s words a bit by explicitly including the Gentiles (outsiders): “The root of Jesse shall come, he who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles hope” (15:14).
The gospel reading from Matthew is a less poetic prophecy. John the Baptist calls the Pharisees and Sadducees “a brood of vipers” (3:7). The children of Abraham need to repent. Otherwise “every tree that does not bear good fruit [will be] cut down and thrown into the fire” (3:10). To his credit John is clear about his own role in the divine drama: “I baptize with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I; ... he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (3:11).
Note the interesting use of a tree as a symbol (which no doubt harkens back to “the tree of knowledge of good and evil” [Gen. 2:17]). For Isaiah, the tree of Jesse brings forth Christ, the Messiah. For John the Baptist, the tree that does not bear good fruit will be thrown into the fire.
Look It Up
When Paul proclaims that the promised salvation is also for the Gentiles, he
is quoting more than Isaiah 11; see Psalms 18:49 and 117:1 and Deuteronomy
32:43.
Think About It
John the Baptist called the Pharisees and Sadducees, those supposedly
faithful to the covenant, “a brood of vipers.” How might John the Baptist characterize
us today?
Next Sunday
The Third Sunday of Advent (Year A), Dec. 16, 2007
BCP: Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146 or 146:4-9; James 5:7-10; Matt. 11:2-11
RCL: Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:4-9 or Canticle 3 or 15; James 5:7-10; Matt. 11:2-11
