The Nativity of the Lord, Midnight Mass
(Isaiah 9:1-3.5-6; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14)
The birth of Jesus in the Gospel of Saint Luke begins by
mentioning the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus. He is not the typical emperor but
the one who credited with ensuring world peace. Saint Luke is suggesting a
comparison between this emperor of peace and Jesus Christ, the Prince of peace.
Augustus has his armies to pacify uprisings across the world. Jesus gives the
Holy Spirit to calm the human heart. Instead of desiring gold, the heart that gives
admission to the Spirit longs for the joy of love.
However, the world today needs a peacemaker like Caesar
Augustus. Two weeks ago. Pope Francis was seen crying in public over the war in
Ukraine. There millions of people suffer not only the cold of winter without electricity
but also the anxiety of not having an end to the war in sight. Who can bring
peace to today's world? Are they not the men and women whose hearts have been
opened to sacrifice by the grace of the Spirit?
Mary also draws our attention in this portrait of the birth
of Jesus. She has the courage to accompany Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem
while she is about to give birth. It seems that she doesn't care that there is
no place for her family in the inn. Instead of worrying about it, she focuses
on the well-being of her son. She has prepared strips of cloth to keep him warm
in loving anticipation. When he is born, she lays him in a manger. She and Joseph
give him something more substantial than a crib for support. They adore him.
Today's world often lacks this kind of personal commitment.
Because they look for careers, luxuries, and the independence to do what they
like, many young people do not want children. Or if they want them, they plan
on one or, at most, two. It is worrisome because who knows what will happen in
forty or fifty years? Many of them will experience loneliness. They are also
likely to be disconcerted to see their communities fall apart and be replaced
by people from other cultures.
The angels and their message form one last thing to consider
here. An angel announces the good news of the birth of the Savior. Then he is
joined by a multitude of heavenly creatures to proclaim glory to God and
"peace to men of good will." For centuries people have wondered who
these men and women "of good will" are. Are they all the women and
men in the world? Or can they be a special group chosen by God?
The best answer to the question is associated with what
Saint Luke writes in his narrative of the baptism of Jesus. There the voice of God
says from heaven: “You are my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased.” Men and
women “of good will” are those who please God like Jesus Christ. Therefore, we
have reason to be at peace when we strive to do the will of God the Father.
Luke's story ends with the angels in heaven singing: “Glory
to God…” How could God not have glory when his creatures on earth are seen
opening their hearts to the Holy Spirit? How could He not have glory when women
and men give their families priority over their own independence? And how could
He not have glory when we try with all our might to please Him? However, the
glory belongs to God not because of our efforts but because of his love for us.
He has sent us his own Son so that we may know his love.
