Fountains in the Desert

~~~ Memorial of Saint Lucy ~~~

~~~ Isaiah 41:13-20 ~~~ Psalm 145 ~~~ Matthew 11:11-15 ~~~

 

God will answer the needy. He will hear all who call on him.

 

I, the LORD, will answer them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.

 

The Lord God promises to bring forth springs of fresh water.

He will bring forth water in the most unlikely places...

bare heights and deserts.

Not only will streams of flowing water but fountains of water as well.

There is the possibility of abundant life in moving water.

God does not provide us with stagnant water,

but rather water that is life giving from himself.

He is the source of this water.

 

Isaiah specifically writes of the trees which will be planted in the desert land...

there will be all sorts of trees growing here.

The trees will emerge here even though this is not there normal habitat.

 

Trees have a meaningful place in the scriptures...

from the crib to the cross; trees have been put to use.

In the Garden of Eden we find the great tree of good and evil.

Many psalms make reference to trees as an example of God's care.

Trees have been used in the parables Jesus told.

Jesus called down one of his followers down from a tree top.

 

It is wonderful that trees are such a central part of our Christmas season.

We see them decorated everywhere we go...

in our homes, in our retail stores, outside in yards...

trees stand adorned with whatever is placed upon their branches.

 

 

Those who have ears ought to hear...

God brings life to the barren dry desolate wasteland.

He adorns the banks of the living water with trees of every sort.

 

John the Baptist was the link between the Old Testament and the New Testament.

He foretold the coming of the Lord and when the appointed time came he took Jesus into the Jordan river, submerged him, and proclaimed him to be the Son of God.

The heavens opened and God exclaimed joy for his Beloved Son.

 

The trees and all that is living flourish in the presence of the Lord.

 

As you decorate your Christmas tree this year let it be a reminder of how God

is there for you in his roll as shepherd and as the one who brings forth

the living water in joyful fountains, perhaps even dancing fountains.

 

Saint Lucy knew what it meant to listen for the voice of the Lord.

She models for us what it means to be joyful in the Lord,

even in the face of death.

 

St. Lucy, Pray for us!