Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent

(I Samuel 1:24-28; Luke 1:46-56)

Most horrifying and yet most edifying of all images this year was the video of Christians being beheaded by ISIS ruffians.  The blood of twenty-one Egyptian men colored the seaside sand in eloquent testimony of their faith in Jesus.  The martyrs did was Mary does in today’s gospel.

Mary is the first believer in what God has done for the world in Jesus Christ.  She has been instructed by His messenger that her son will receive the kingship of David.  She now proclaims what this means.  She says that the humble will be lifted from their misery while the proud are scattered in rejection.

We may want to ask, “How does Mary know this is happening?” She knows by faith in God.  Like those Egyptian martyrs Mary understands that the Lord has arrived to overcome evil.  We will see the end of ISIS and also, perhaps more mercifully, victory over our own greed and lust.

Monday, December 21, 2015

Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent 

(Song of Songs 2:8-14; Luke 1:39-45)

Pope Francis’ itinerary in Mexico has been announced.  He will visit the shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the country’s patron, in the capital.  But that is the only major commercial center that he will go to.  Rather than Guadalajara and Monterrey, Francis will travel to San Cristóbal de las Casas, Morelia, and Ciudad Juarez.  These cities have undergone grave troubles recently.  The pope’s intentions are obvious.  He intends to comfort victims of violence and poverty.  God seems to show the same concern in today’s gospel.

Two women take center stage.  Elizabeth suffered the disgrace of never having a child.  Mary has shown implicit obedience to God’s word by rushing to Elizabeth.  Both represent the poor who continue trusting despite the hardships they face.  Now God is acting on their behalf. 

We may never duplicate the humility of Elizabeth and the obedience of Mary.  But we can imitate their example.  We can curb our desire for recognition and our need to have things our way.  When we do, we will know the full joy of Christmas.  We will realize that God has truly come to share with us His peace. 

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Saturday of the Third Week of Advent – December 19, 2015

(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.  Now with the celebration of his coming so near, trust means to have confidence that he will save the world from its folly.  ISIS will be defeated.  Abortion will come to an end.  Our personal pride, lust, and sloth will be overcome.  

Friday, December 18, 2015

Friday of the Third Week of Advent 

                                              

(Jeremiah 23:5-8; Matthew 1:18-25)

Listening to the poor may provide a whole new concept of “Christmas gift.”  Once, a missionary went to the highlands of Honduras to celebrate mass on the day following Christmas.  Arriving early in the evening, he went to the church where the youth group was holding a meeting.  The adult moderator asked the missionary to address the adolescents.  Not having anything particular to say, the missionary asked the children to tell him about their Christmas gifts.  But they did not seem to understand.  Rather than describe a toy or clothing article that they received, they talked about how they planned to be more obedient and prayerful.  Then the priest realized that he was the one who lacked understanding.  The children’s parents were too destitute to provide material gifts for them.  “Christmas gifts” were what they all did to show Jesus how much they love him.

           

In the reading today from Jeremiah, the prophet provides us with a similarly new concept of “the Promised Land.”  He foretells that the descendants of Israel now in Babylonian exile will take up residence on their own rightful land.  Jesus fulfills this prophecy by giving his followers, the “new Israelites” because of their relationship with him, the Promised Land.  But the lot that Jesus has in mind is not an acre of Israel.  No, Jesus provides a place in God’s kingdom for those who practice his care for all.

The promise of a place in God’s kingdom may sound like a shady deal to some.  They will ask, “Why should we change our ways just for the promise of some peaceful place in the distant future?” But those more chastened among us will not dismiss the offer.  We are the ones who realize that those Honduran highlander children have better Christmas gifts than kids receiving the latest version of IPad.  We also know that a share in the kingdom, which begins with authentic love right now, is better than any real estate on earth.

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Thursday of the Third Week of Advent

(Genesis 49:2.8-10; Matthew 1:1-17)

Genealogists study genealogies.  They know how to ferret out data from records that most of us overlook.  Genealogists tell us that all of us have famous ancestors.  They claim that we are all descendants of Julius Cesar or any other famous figure of the ancient past.  They say that satisfaction comes not from that fact but from proving it.

No one is a physical descendant of Jesus because he did not have children.  But we can all claim him as a relative in two ways.  By the wide net of relationships that genealogies make, everyone on earth is a descendant of some ancestor of Jesus.  More importantly, we can claim him as a relative when we act like him.  When we make an effort to proclaim the Father’s love like he did by acts of mercy, our relationship with Jesus can be physically seen.

Today’s readings speak of genealogy.  The first foretells David’s and also Jesus’ being descendants of Judah, a strong man who defeats his enemies.  It indicates that they too will overcome all opposition.  The gospel traces Jesus’ lineage through David and Judah to Abraham.  It shows us that God has carefully planned the coming of His Son.  Likewise it assures us that staying in relationship with Jesus will bring us God’s favor.