Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent

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

If we were with Mary when she exclaimed, “He has cast down the mighty…and lifted up the lowly,” we might have asked, “Where? When?”  These things have not yet happened.  Jesus has not yet done his work.  However, Mary is not recording history; she is preaching gospel.  She takes her experience and projects it onto the world.  Because she, a lowly maiden, has been exalted by God, she knows others will be as well.

Mary here is not unlike John preaching in the desert.  He says he baptizes with water, but the one to come will baptize with the Holy Spirit.  John means that the conversion sealed by his baptism will be magnified with the Holy Spirit. Similarly, John Winthrop preached to the Puritans as they were about to sail to America.  In a famous discourse he said they would be blessed tenfold if they kept to the Lord’s ways.

This is a time of blessing.  We should not bemoan too long the Covid virus but anticipate its blessings.  We can make this a truly memorable Christmas.  Then we will cherish it in the future, perhaps more than any other.  We can read at home of Christ’s birth in Luke and then pray for travelers and the poor.  We can take time to listen to family members, to understand their perceptions, and to reconcile grievances. We can bake cookies, take them at the door of the isolated, and wave to them in the window.  In these ways the gospel preached of Christ will be fulfilled. 

Monday, December 21, 2020

 Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent

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

The Song of Songs originally had nothing to do with religion.  It was written as a poem exalting the physical attraction in adolescent love.  But Jewish elders saw the poem’s passion as expressive of God’s love for Israel.  Christian teachers likewise thought of it as illustrating  of Christ’s love for the Church.  Although its imagery may be embarrassingly sensuous, few would strike it from Sacred Scripture.  It dramatically testifies of the goodness of sexual love in marriage.

Read before Christmas, the Song of Songs indicates Christ’s passion to come the world.  He loves it so much that he runs to it.  Like a smitten lover, he sees the beauty of the beloved in the midst of many faults.  The beloved as well yearns for her lover.  When he comes close, she is like John leaping in his mother’s womb.

We can rejoice that the celebration of Christmas is at hand.  The general goodwill renews our faith that Christ has redeemed the world of its sin.  The efforts of family members reinforce our perception that family and culture are integral to faith.  The way the world seems to stop to give tribute to Jesus reassures us that our hope is viable.

Sunday, December 20, 2020

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

(II Samuel 7: 1-5.8-12.16; Romans 16: 25-27; Luke 1: 26-38)

A medical intern attests to the loneliness felt in the Covid pandemic. She writes of a woman having problems visiting her newborn son who remains in the hospital. She tells the story of a dying man whose family cannot say “goodbye” due to visitor restrictions. She describes the frustration of a woman not allowed to accompany her elderly mother to the emergency department. These stories help us understand why the gospel today constitutes "good news."

Christmas helps us overcome the sense of loneliness. It is particularly beneficial when there are acute restrictions as this year. The feast celebrates the coming of the Savior who lifts spirits to new hope and consolation. To appreciate how this happens, we have to probe who the Savior is. Fortunately, today’s gospel identifies him for us. More than telling us how the birth of Mary's son took place, it proclaims him “son of David” and “Son of God.”

When the angel Gabriel addresses the virgin Mary, he echoes God's words to David in the first reading. Gabriel says God will give his son "the throne of David, his father." He adds that "his reign will have no end." David was the greatest king in Israel’s history. He was invincible in battle.  But he submitted to God in the fight against sin. Although he sinned grievously, he possessed the humility to ask God’s forgiveness. However, the glory of Jesus surpasses that of David. With the nations of the world supporting him, he overcomes all evil. As deadly as Covid is, he will beat it.

The victory can be detected in the production of vaccines. Technical ingenuity is a sign of the Lord’s activity in the world.  His victory is seen as well in front-line workers who refuse to leave their jobs. Doctors, nurses, and their assistants risk their health every day in the battle against Covid. Many of these were trained in Christian institutions with a tradition of selfless service.  Others who show the Lord at work are the volunteers who help the marginalized. The human response to the threat fills us with hope. Because he is "son of David," Jesus can be identified as the leader of the movement.

As significant as it is that Jesus is “son of David”, it is more advantageous to us that he is “Son of God”.  His birth means that God will accompany his people forever. He consoles us in setbacks as we strive for justice. A psychiatrist endured the Nazi concentration camp. After living the horror, he analyzed how some could survive it while others gave up. He concluded that the difference between the two groups was the presence of meaning. Those who found meaning in their life were more inclined to endure the pain. God's presence provides such meaning. Knowing that He is with us, we trust in his support.

The gospel further indicates our response to God's human initiative. Mary does not deny the call to be the mother of Jesus, the Savior. She accepts it resolutely.  She tells Gabriel, “’I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.’” If the measure of a disciple is to put into practice what the teacher says, Mary demonstrates perfect discipleship. We too can follow “God-with-us” with such determination. Discipleship these days requires, first, that we give homage to the new-born Jesus like the shepherds of Bethlehem. We want to pray at home and, if possible, attend Mass on the 24th. It also obliges us to support family and friends in the healthy celebration of Christmas. Much more than Santa, Christmas presents an opportunity to forgo grudges and seek reconciliation. Finally, we cannot ignore the poor in this time of joy. We should do something to help a person in real need.

It seems right when it snows on Christmas. Pure and fresh, snow falling to the ground signifies the coming from heaven to earth. It is a fitting symbol of God's coming to us.

Friday, December 18, 2020

 

Friday of the Third Week of Advent

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

Last week Pope Francis surprised many in the Church.  Apparently out of the blue he initiated a Jubilee Year in honor of St. Joseph.  The pope’s devotion to St. Joseph was first signaled when his name was added to the Eucharistic prayers.  But the Jubilee Year status of St. Joseph indicates more than a pope’s piety.  It underlines the role of the common person in the Church.  Today’s gospel presents Joseph as an ordinary man steeped in holiness.

The passage recounts how Joseph received an “annunciation” message.  He was betrothed to Mary when he was informed that she was with child.  He demonstrated sanctity by not exposing her to the law.  It is speculated that by not informing authorities of Mary’s state, Joseph forfeited the dowry given to Mary.  In any case, out of kindness, he wanted to spare Mary the embarrassment of an investigation.  The angel’s intervention called Joseph to an even greater sacrifice.  He accepted Mary into his home with her child, the Son of God.

The Jubilee Year is replete with indulgences for those who complete one of several acts of piety.  Francis wants people who have not been able to leave home to benefit in it.  All of us can grow spiritually by praying to St. Joseph this year.  Like him, most of us are common people called to make sacrifices.  We may have a family to raise, or school children to teach, or elderly parents to take care of.  A powerful intercessor as well, St. Joseph will win for us all the help we need.

Thursday, December 17, 2020

 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 another legendary figure of the 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 strive to proclaim the Father’s love, our relationship with Jesus can be seen and felt.

 Today’s readings speak of genealogy.  The first foretells David’s and Jesus’ being descendants of Judah.  As Judah was a strong man who defeated his enemies, they too will overcome 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 that staying in relationship with Jesus will bring us God’s favor.