Michael Fiorentino

Hope is such a tricky thing. Sometimes we hope for an outcome and it happens in a relatively quick time so we are delighted and our faith is strengthened. More often than not, we never know when our hopes will be realized. Isaiah (my favorite book of the Old Testament) is full of prophecies. I think most Christians agree with my contention that the authors of Isaiah are preparing us for the coming of Emmanuel – God with us. Today’s reading is one of reassurance and the hope of a brighter future for the oppressed and marginalized, but there isn’t the slightest hint of when. Keep in mind that Isaiah was written somewhere between one half to three quarters of a century before Jesus started his ministry.

People of African descent were enslaved for centuries but hope permeated through the generations and eventually they were emancipated. Historically considered property, totally dependent on and subservient to men, women finally obtained suffrage and (at least on paper) numerous equal rights. Previously dubbed “the love that dared not speak its’ name”, LGBT people are no longer invisible to straight society but marriage equality regardless of gender is now the law of the land. 

Although there’s no denying we still have much left to do to secure a level playing field, it pains me that there are those who are trying to reverse the progress we fought so hard to achieve. So where is my hope for us finally realizing a world where every one is treated with equal respect and dignity? Obviously, Jesus Christ, the Savior prophesied in Isaiah, gives me hope but also the wonderful extravagant welcome statement that adorns our Church’s bulletin and that we joyfully recite every Sunday.