Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Wednesday 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 the familiar promise of God’s intention to establish a permanent Davidic kingship.  The gospel seems to be an eruption of 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 foretells 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 whose light shall illumine our way to glory.

Tuesday, Decembr 23, 2014

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent

(Malachi 3:1-4.23-24; Luke 1:57-66)

In Luke’s gospel John the Baptist clearly takes the place of Elijah, the prophet of fire. John warns the people that unless they reform, they will be burned like trees in a forest fire.  In this way John goes before the Lord, as his father Zechariah proclaims in his song of jubilation at his naming, “to prepare his ways.”

Jesus will not take up John’s message of the coming wrath of God.  Rather, his preaching will center on God as the human’s savior.  Although Jesus will mention God’s power to cast sinners into hell, he will stress God’s love.  He will say that the Father has counted the number of hairs on each person’s head to insure her total salvation.  

Since love is also portrayed with fire, we might contrast John’s message with Jesus’ using that image.  John, following Elijah, will use the threat of a blazing fire to move the people out of lethargy or licentiousness.  In contrast Jesus, the divine physician, uses love like a laser to heal us and make us whole.

Monday, December 22, 2014

Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent

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

One of Mary’s titles is “Queen of Apostles.”  She sits among Jesus’ most intimate followers at the Pentecost event, but there is a more cogent reason for naming her their queen.  Mary is the first to preach the good news as an apostle. She responds to the word of the angel that her relative Elizabeth was pregnant by going forth to the expectant mother.  There Mary deflects Elizabeth’s salutation, “Blessed are you among women…,” with a homiletic tribute to God’s glory.

Mary proclaims the greatness of God because He has not only done great things for her but also “has cast down the mighty from their thrones.”  It is evident that God has chosen her to be the mother of His Son, but as yet the mighty still sit comfortably while the hungry scrounge.  What gives?  Only this: Mary foretells the imminent reversal of these fortunes with the coming of her son.

Mary presents for us an example to follow.  She does not draw attention to her own achievements but concedes any greatness she possesses to God.  More importantly, she leaves her comfort zone to enjoin others in anticipating the coming of the Son of God.

Friday, December 19, 2014

Friday of the Third Week of Advent

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

Technological gadgets seem to free people from traditional surveillance.  Parents cannot readily see what kind of images their children are viewing in their telephones.  At the same time other gadgets form a kind of technological leash that seems to impede liberation.  With the IPhones capacity for self-location, wives can find out where their husbands are.  These innovations leave a sense that freedom is a cat-and-mouse game, ever illusive even as it seems more at hand.  But the problem is with the conception of freedom that is being considered.  In the readings today there is a progression toward the true freedom that Christ has won.

The first reading from the Book of Judges describes the conception of Samson with God’s intervention.  Samson is born late in life to a couple who were unable to conceive.  Samson will lead Israel from the hegemony of the Philistines to political freedom.  The story of John’s conception in the Gospel of Luke relates a similar kind of conception.  John will eventually launch the campaign for a greater liberation which Jesus brings to completion.

Although political subjugation should never be dismissed, it is not the most grievous form of servitude.  Sin forms a more serious bondage since it will place us outside of God’s favor.  Jesus has broken the bonds of sin by obeying the Father’s will that he preach His love, come what may.  Staying close to him, we are not ensnared by the attraction of evil.  Close to him, we walk in true freedom of God’s daughters and sons.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Thursday of the Third Week of Advent

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

Philosophers talk about the “pie rule” as a means to insure justice between two people.  They say that if one person is allowed to cut a pie and the other to choose the piece she wants, the pie will almost assuredly be cut into perfect halves.  This may be a way to achieve equality, but does it secure real justice?  Is justice not a matter of everyone having enough to secure his welfare?  Universal welfare is what Scripture means as justice, and the readings today provide examples.

In the first reading Jeremiah looks forward to a king whose name will include the word justice.  He will bring security to all Israel.  The gospel shows how Joseph is rightly called just by being unwilling to expose Mary, the mother of Jesus, to shame.  This refusal probably cost him the woman’s dowry according to Jewish custom.  Justice then is more than equality or a fair share.  It involves making sacrifice for the good of all.  Jesus is the just one who gives himself up to death on a cross so that the world may know God’s love.

We speak of being justified as if it were only the blotting out of our sins.  But it is much more.  When Jesus justifies us through his death and resurrection by the grace of the Holy Spirit, he offers us the opportunity to reflect his justice.  To be sure it requires the development of virtue – no easy task.  But it results in advantage for all around us and in our sharing in Jesus’ eternal glory.