Between the first and second silence ... only one Word was uttered . . . is Jesus Christ.

Third Week of Advent THURSDAY

First Reading  Isaiah 32:15 - 33:6

Responsory                                      See Ps 29:11; Is 40:10

The Lord will come down to us, radiant with glory and power. + He will visit his people in peace and give them everlasting life.

V. Behold, our God is coming. + He will visit ...

Second Reading

From a sermon by an unknown writer (Hom. XLI infra Opera Pauli diaconi: PL 95,1177-1178)

Three periods of silence

When all was wrapped in peaceful silence, and night in its swift course was now half gone, your almighty Word leaped down from heaven, from your royal throne.

There are three periods of silence: the first was when people were unaware of their sickness, the second when they despaired of healing, the third when they are restored to health. The first silence was before the law was given, the second between the time of the law and that of grace, the third will be after this present life.

The first silence, then, was when people were silent because they were unaware of their sickness, and so failed to search for a remedy. But when the law came and showed the sick their wounds, the silence was immediately broken and the sick began to seek healing. However, because they sought to be healed by works of the law, in which there was no salvation, they could not find what they were looking for. And so at last, realizing that no one can be justified by works of the law and almost worn out by their cries of supplication, they despaired and ceased to speak any more, and there followed the second silence.

Then the omnipotent Word of God the Father came in a human body and broke the silence, spoke of peace, gave grace, preached mercy, and promised forgiveness, and the sick began to run to the physician. With a great cry, so to speak, they begged for salvation, their hearts filled with pure faith and their mouths with true confession.

So it is that now, in this present life, we are saved by the grace of God, but when our health is fully restored, and we are brought to the bliss of immortality, there will be nothing more to ask for. Then will follow the third silence that will never end.

Between the first and second silence many words were spoken, but between the middle and the last silence only one Word was uttered. Many were the words, numerous the precepts of the law given through Moses, but the grace of God that comes through Jesus Christ, or rather which is Jesus Christ, is one Word. Moses the servant of God uttered many words, made many speeches; God the Father sent one Word, a single utterance. The words of Moses were not omnipotent, for they could not do what they said. So it was that they at last fell silent since they had not fulfilled their promises. Then came the omnipotent Word of God, who not only said but did whatever he wished. This voice, this Word, still speaks when his promises take effect in believers. And when he has fulfilled the promises he will as it were cease to speak: as there will be nothing more to ask for there will be eternal silence.

Responsory                                       See Is 33:22; Ps 97:1

The Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our King.

+ The Lord will come to save us.

V. The Lord has reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the many islands be glad. + The Lord will ...