Monday, December 19, 2022

 Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent

(Judges 13:2-7.24-25a; Luke 1:5-25)

Today’s readings sound definitively premodern.  Many couples today do not want to have any children, and most do not want more than one or two.  In these Scriptures Manoah’s wife and Elizabeth consider themselves disgraced for not having given birth.  Then they hear from God.

The two women will not only have children.  Their children will become outstanding in their respective times.  Manoah’s wife’s son Samson will wreak havoc on the Philistines, Israel’s archenemies in the period of the Judges.  John will prick the consciences of the entire nation of Israel to turn from sin.

Christmas celebrates human life.  It says, at its root, that human life is so wonderful that God assumed it to present Himself to the world.  We should embrace it not only for what it offers us as individuals but for what we might offer others.  Christ taught us as much.  His life testifies superlatively to the truth that life is not a commodity to be exploited but a gift to be shared.

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent

(Judges 13:2-7.24-25a; Luke 1:5-25)

We feel for couples who want to have children but remain barren.  Often they seem to be the most virtuous of people – she, gentle and caring; he, responsible and understanding.  Raising offspring like themselves would not only fulfill the couple’s desire but would also give hope to their neighbors for a nobler society.  Why, we ask, does God not grant them their continual prayer for a family?

Children, however, are not human property but belong to God.  They are born to serve His design for a more just creation.  In both readings today God grants the barren couples a son to further His purpose of preparing for the coming of Christ.  Manoah and his wife will give birth to Samson who will defeat the enemies of the Israelites among whom Jesus will be born.  Zechariah and Elizabeth will give birth to John who will announce that the Lord is at hand.  Does God take pity on these pious couples because they pray to Him?

Yes, we can be sure of that.  But we should not see their having children as God’s only answer to their prayers.  It is wiser to see Jesus as God’s response to all our prayers whether for children, a new job, or healing of disease.  He is the gift which makes life worthwhile.  He is our personal savior, who will yank us beyond death into eternal life.  He is also the model of justice and prudence which guide all earth’s peoples to peaceful coexistence.  Finally, he is the goal of the evolving universe who will bring heaven and earth together in harmony.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Thursday of  the  Third Week of Advent

(Judges 13:2-7.24-25a; Luke 1:5-25)

We feel for couples who want to have children but remain barren.  Often they seem to be the best of people – she, gentle and caring, and he, responsible and understanding.  Raising offspring like themselves would not only fulfill their dreams but would also give hope to their neighbors for a nobler society.  Why, we ask, does God not grant the continual prayer of such a pair?

Children, however, are not created to satisfy personal and/or social needs but to serve God’s design for justice.  In both readings today God grants the barren couples a son to further His purpose of preparing for the coming of Christ.  Manoah and his wife will give birth to Samson who will defeat the enemies of the Israelites among whom Jesus will be born.  Zechariah and Elizabeth will give birth to John who will announce that the coming of the Christ. 

Is it then that God answers the prayers of some couples but not others?  Not really.  God answers all our prayers.  In paving the way for Jesus, God assures that our deepest desires -- for peace, love, and life – can be satisfied

Homilette for Friday, December 19, 2008

Friday of the Third Week of Advent

(Judges 13:2-7.24-25a; Luke 1:5-25)

We feel for couples who want to have children but remain barren. Often they seem to be the most virtuous of people – she, gentle and caring; he, responsible and understanding. Raising offspring like themselves would not only fulfill the couple’s desire but would also give hope to their neighbors for a nobler society. Why, we ask, does God not grant them their continual prayer for a family?

Children, however, are not human property but belong to God. They are born to serve His design for a more just creation. In both readings today God grants the barren couples a son to further His purpose of preparing for the coming of Christ. Manoah and his wife will give birth to Samson who will defeat the enemies of the Israelites among whom Jesus will be born. Zechariah and Elizabeth will give birth to John who will announce that the Lord is at hand. Does God take pity on these pious couples because they pray to Him?

Yes, we can be sure of that. But we should not see their having children as necessarily the answer to their prayers. It is wiser to see Jesus as God’s response to all our prayers whether for children, a new job, or whatever. He is the gift which makes life worthwhile. He is our personal savior, who will yank us beyond death into eternal life. He is also the model of justice and prudence which may guide all peoples to peaceful earthly coexistence whether or not they recognize his divinity. Finally (and this is purely Christian hope), he is the omega point of the evolving universe who will bring the restless stars of the heavens together in harmony.