Monday of the
Fourth Week of Advent
(Judges 13:2-7.24-25a; Luke 1:5-25)
Catholics are often amazed when the differences among the
gospel accounts of Jesus’ life are reviewed.
The differences may be seen in the first chapter of each gospel. Mark begins with John preaching in the
desert. Both Matthew and Luke treat Jesus’
birth, but Matthew will focus on Joseph’s role and Matthew on Mary’s. John goes back to the beginning of creation
when the Word co-existed with God, the Father.
With all the differences, however, there are very
impressive similarities among the gospels.
Mark, Luke, and John tell of John the Baptist in their initial
chapters. Matthew defers mention of the
Baptist until he finishes the story of Jesus’ birth and infancy. But Matthew begins his story of Jesus’ birth
with the patriarch Abraham, who is much like Zachariah with whom Luke introduces
his gospel. Both Abraham and Zachariah are
faithful; both long to have a child; and both have their prayers heard by an
indulgent God.
We need not be dismayed by the differences encountered in
the gospel narratives. The gospels
essentially agree, and they universally call forth our faith in Jesus as
Lord. They concur that he is the God who
became human so that we might share his divine happiness. Once again God indulges His children by
granting our deepest longing.
