The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
On Tuesdays many Catholics pray the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary. These include the memorable events of Jesus’ passion – his agony in Gethsemane, his being flogged and mocked, his supporting the weight of the cross, and his brutal death. If Christmas falls on a Tuesday, however, the remembrance of Jesus’ ordeal is supposed to give way to the joyful celebration of Jesus’ birth – how the Virgin Mary’s consent to God’s will led to her conceiving, birthing, and raising the Savior. Nevertheless, this year many will feel the need to meditate as usual on his death.
Eleven days ago a young man shot and killed twenty-eight people, twenty of whom were only six and seven years old, in the Sandy Hook Elementary School of Newtown, Connecticut. Although the assassin apparently understood that what he did was wrong since he took his own life, he was almost certainly mentally deranged. He also seems to have had a vendetta against his mother, a divorced woman, who tried to care for him. The murders have invoke the disturbing question of what it means to have “the Savior of the world” in our midst when human tragedies such as the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary happen with increasing regularity.
Perhaps such catastrophes are evidence that people have rejected Jesus’ teachings on love and peace. Some will argue that the refusal to ban hand guns signifies a society’s option for violence. Others will say that the core problem is the people’s unwillingness to assist those suffering from mental disease. Still others will insist that if parents were willing to make sacrifices to keep their marriages together, their children would receive all the attention they need. All these explanations for the violence have merit, but there is a more fundamental truth that should be understood.
Evil or, if you wish, the devil is a larger, darker, and more grotesque enemy than we can imagine. It is an inherent condition of the world, and it has perpetrated its contempt for innocence from the beginning. But its days are numbered. Jesus, who took the initiative to challenge evil, has broken its back. Now it can only roam like a rabid dog looking to spread its infection on any and every one before it dies.
We must not let sorrow for the victims of Sandy Hook Elementary smother our joy today. Jesus the Savior has come. His resurrection from the dead has opened the gates of heaven for those innocent people. His sending of the Holy Spirit empowers us to join the struggle against evil. We see him as a defenseless baby at this moment but know that he is our unconquerable leader.
Monday, December 24, 2012
Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent
(II Samuel 7:1-5.8b-12.14a.16; Luke 1:67-79)
At first glance the first reading and the gospel appear disconnected. The reading from II Samuel is a familiar prophecy of the coming of Christ in the line of David. The gospel seems to be an ode to joy on the part of Zechariah with the birth of his son. However, a closer look reveals a profound intimacy between the two.
In the gospel Zechariah predicts the coming of God as “the dawn from on high.” The word for this in Greek is anatole which also translates the Hebrew of Nathan’s prophecy to David that God will raise up one “sprung from your loins” to become the eternal king. Thus, Zechariah announces the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecy with the coming of the one for whom John the Baptist is to prepare the way.
The scene is set. The Savior is about to make his appearance in the world. We are to look for the rising star tonight who shall enlighten our way to glory.
(II Samuel 7:1-5.8b-12.14a.16; Luke 1:67-79)
At first glance the first reading and the gospel appear disconnected. The reading from II Samuel is a familiar prophecy of the coming of Christ in the line of David. The gospel seems to be an ode to joy on the part of Zechariah with the birth of his son. However, a closer look reveals a profound intimacy between the two.
In the gospel Zechariah predicts the coming of God as “the dawn from on high.” The word for this in Greek is anatole which also translates the Hebrew of Nathan’s prophecy to David that God will raise up one “sprung from your loins” to become the eternal king. Thus, Zechariah announces the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecy with the coming of the one for whom John the Baptist is to prepare the way.
The scene is set. The Savior is about to make his appearance in the world. We are to look for the rising star tonight who shall enlighten our way to glory.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Friday of the Third Week of Advent
(Song of Songs 2:8-14; Luke 1:39-45)
In many ways human beings are like all the other kinds of animals. They are born, they live, and they die. But there are differences. Unlike other animals humans think, represent their thoughts in symbols, and use the symbols to communicate with one another. These capacities leave humans with questions: Where do they come from? What happens to their spirits at death? How does their universal understanding of good and evil come about? Faith gives a perspective to address these questions. It is like a telescope which enables a human to see the universe more clearly. Today’s gospel makes a ringing endorsement of faith.
When Mary visits Elizabeth, the latter greets her with a string of blessings. “Most blessed,” she says, “are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Then Elizabeth names the cause of Mary’s blessedness. It is not that she is a virgin who is about to give birth. Nor even that she will me “the mother of my Lord.” No, Mary is blessed for believing “what was spoken to you by the Lord…”
We too have the faith that Elizabeth praises. We too believe what the Lord tells us: that Jesus is His Son; that he died on the cross to redeem our sins and then rose from the dead; and that we await his coming in glory to judge the world. The beginning of the realization of these truths, and not reindeer and snowmen, is what Christmas is all about.
(Song of Songs 2:8-14; Luke 1:39-45)
In many ways human beings are like all the other kinds of animals. They are born, they live, and they die. But there are differences. Unlike other animals humans think, represent their thoughts in symbols, and use the symbols to communicate with one another. These capacities leave humans with questions: Where do they come from? What happens to their spirits at death? How does their universal understanding of good and evil come about? Faith gives a perspective to address these questions. It is like a telescope which enables a human to see the universe more clearly. Today’s gospel makes a ringing endorsement of faith.
When Mary visits Elizabeth, the latter greets her with a string of blessings. “Most blessed,” she says, “are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Then Elizabeth names the cause of Mary’s blessedness. It is not that she is a virgin who is about to give birth. Nor even that she will me “the mother of my Lord.” No, Mary is blessed for believing “what was spoken to you by the Lord…”
We too have the faith that Elizabeth praises. We too believe what the Lord tells us: that Jesus is His Son; that he died on the cross to redeem our sins and then rose from the dead; and that we await his coming in glory to judge the world. The beginning of the realization of these truths, and not reindeer and snowmen, is what Christmas is all about.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Thursday of the Third Week of Advent
(Isaiah 7:10-14; Luke 1:26-38)
Christmas is a season of signs. Every gift signifies the giver’s affection for the recipient. Although signs may show disfavor as well, the signs offered in the readings today are both positive.
In the first reading Isaiah suggests that King Ahaz ask for a sign to show that God supports him. Faced with a military challenge, the king wants to capitulate to his enemies who will adulterate his nation’s worship. He likely refuses to ask for a sign not out of piety but from a fear to trust in the Lord. By contrast in the gospel Mary, trusting all the while in the Lord, readily accepts the sign that Elizabeth is pregnant in her old age.
Should we be seeking signs when confronted with decisions? God has not only sent us the ultimate sign in His Son Jesus but also has endowed us with His Holy Spirit. Rather than seeking additional signs, it is better to prudently discern how Jesus’ teachings apply in a given situation and then acting accordingly with the Spirit.
(Isaiah 7:10-14; Luke 1:26-38)
Christmas is a season of signs. Every gift signifies the giver’s affection for the recipient. Although signs may show disfavor as well, the signs offered in the readings today are both positive.
In the first reading Isaiah suggests that King Ahaz ask for a sign to show that God supports him. Faced with a military challenge, the king wants to capitulate to his enemies who will adulterate his nation’s worship. He likely refuses to ask for a sign not out of piety but from a fear to trust in the Lord. By contrast in the gospel Mary, trusting all the while in the Lord, readily accepts the sign that Elizabeth is pregnant in her old age.
Should we be seeking signs when confronted with decisions? God has not only sent us the ultimate sign in His Son Jesus but also has endowed us with His Holy Spirit. Rather than seeking additional signs, it is better to prudently discern how Jesus’ teachings apply in a given situation and then acting accordingly with the Spirit.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent
(Judges 13:2-7.24-25a; Luke 1:5-25)
It is said that for Jews the first commandment is not: “Thou shalt have no strange gods before me,” or even: “Love God with all your heart…” No, their first commandment comes from the initial words God speaks to humans: “Be fruitful and multiply.” Thus, Zechariah and Elizabeth – two God-fearing people – feel “disgrace” both naturally and religiously for their not having born a child.
Luke punctuates the fact that Zechariah seeks a sign from the angel who bore the news of his son’s unlikely conception. The request is reminiscent of people in the gospel demanding a sign from Jesus. These skeptics are unsure about Jesus even after he demonstrates his divine authority time and again.
What God calls forth from Zechariah -- and from us as well -- is trust. He gives his word to Zechariah that Elizabeth is going to bear him a child. A wise person might admonish the priest, “Enough; believe it, Zechariah, and give praise to God.” Jesus speaks similarly to us. He tells us in the early days of Advent to prepare for his return. This means that we are to care for the needy, to pray for those who persecute us, and to thank God continuously for everything we have.
(Judges 13:2-7.24-25a; Luke 1:5-25)
It is said that for Jews the first commandment is not: “Thou shalt have no strange gods before me,” or even: “Love God with all your heart…” No, their first commandment comes from the initial words God speaks to humans: “Be fruitful and multiply.” Thus, Zechariah and Elizabeth – two God-fearing people – feel “disgrace” both naturally and religiously for their not having born a child.
Luke punctuates the fact that Zechariah seeks a sign from the angel who bore the news of his son’s unlikely conception. The request is reminiscent of people in the gospel demanding a sign from Jesus. These skeptics are unsure about Jesus even after he demonstrates his divine authority time and again.
What God calls forth from Zechariah -- and from us as well -- is trust. He gives his word to Zechariah that Elizabeth is going to bear him a child. A wise person might admonish the priest, “Enough; believe it, Zechariah, and give praise to God.” Jesus speaks similarly to us. He tells us in the early days of Advent to prepare for his return. This means that we are to care for the needy, to pray for those who persecute us, and to thank God continuously for everything we have.
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