Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B
Sunday, December 21, 2008
2 Samuel 7:1-5; 8-12; 14, 16
In today's first reading, the prophet Nathan mediates the wisdom of Israel's God to the great king David. David is concerned about physical dwelling places and understandably so: while he lives in a fine cedar palace, the ark of God that holds the stone tablets of the law, the 10commandments, is housed in a tent. God's word, however, is that David is not the one to build God's house, the temple. David is to be first in a long line of rulers who are to be 'sons' of God, ruling with the justice and the wisdom of God.
History tells us that Israel's experience of those rulers was for the most part one of limit, of disappointment. In the face of almost constant failure on the part of the kings, later prophets projected Israel's hope into the future and looked for one who would truly have the characteristics of God, who would truly be 'son of God'.
Romans 16:25-27
These three verses form the conclusion of Paul's letter to the Roman community. Some ancient manuscripts situate them elsewhere in the letter, while others leave them out. They proclaim Jesus as God's 'mystery' kept hidden for endless ages and now proclaimed. We sometimes forget that we are among the peoples (translated 'pagans' in our text) who have been graced with God's extraordinary revelation.
Luke 1:26-38
In the gospel reading a new word of God is mediated through the angel Gabriel to a young Galilean Jewish woman, Mary of Nazareth. She is the one on whom God's spirit, God's favour, now rests. The prophecy of Nathan is fulfilled in the conception and birth of Mary's son who is also, and especially, God's Son. Mary's response to the angel, 'How can this be ...?' echoes the prayer of David that follows today's first reading, 'Who am I ... and who are we that you have brought us to this point?'
The mysterious workings of God in our world invite just such a response. Let us pause to wonder at the goodness of our God at work in our own lives and in the lives of those who incarnate the love of God for us. Let's name them, and give thanks.
by
Veronica Lawson RSM (East Ballarat)
CHRISTMAS SPECIAL, Thursday, December 25
The readings for the Christmas liturgies vary according to the time of the Mass.
The gospel for Midnight Mass (Lk 2:1-14) comes from the great story-teller, Luke, as does the gospel for the early morning Mass (Lk 2:15-20).
Luke tells us that Jesus was born into the world of the Roman Empire during the reign of Caesar Augustus. In his lifetime, Augustus was acclaimed by the people as saviour of the world, son of God, and bringer of peace. Luke's communities at the end of the first century would have known the achievements and reputation of Caesar Augustus.
These early Christians would have recognised in Luke's story of the birth of Jesus a very deliberate attempt to proclaim Jesus, rather than Caesar Augustus, as the face of God, as saviour of the world, and as bringer of the good news of peace.
Luke is a master storyteller. He weaves, from Israel's sacred history and from what he knows about Jesus' origins, a wonderful tapestry of life and hope for the world, a tapestry that unites the heavenly, the human, and the animal world in one great act of praise. The violence that brought 'peace' to the Roman Empire has no place in this scene.
The peace of Christ is the deep peace of non-violence and reconciliation. It is the peace that satisfies the longing of the human heart.
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archived reflections ...
ORDINARY TIME begins on Monday, January 12
Christmas
The Baptism of Jesus, January 11
The Epiphany January 4, 2009
The Holy Family, December 28, 2008
(Christmas Day, December 25)
CHRISTMAS season
Advent
ADVENT
The above reflections are based on the Sunday readings for Year B
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