Fourth Sunday of Advent
Lectionary: 11
Lectionary: 11
When King David was
settled in his palace,
and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side,
he said to Nathan the prophet,
“Here I am living in a house of cedar,
while the ark of God dwells in a tent!”
Nathan answered the king,
“Go, do whatever you have in mind,
for the LORD is with you.”
But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said:
“Go, tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD:
Should you build me a house to dwell in?’
“It was I who took you from the pasture
and from the care of the flock
to be commander of my people Israel.
I have been with you wherever you went,
and I have destroyed all your enemies before you.
And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth.
I will fix a place for my people Israel;
I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place
without further disturbance.
Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old,
since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel.
I will give you rest from all your enemies.
The LORD also reveals to you
that he will establish a house for you.
And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors,
I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins,
and I will make his kingdom firm.
I will be a father to him,
and he shall be a son to me.
Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me;
your throne shall stand firm forever.”
and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side,
he said to Nathan the prophet,
“Here I am living in a house of cedar,
while the ark of God dwells in a tent!”
Nathan answered the king,
“Go, do whatever you have in mind,
for the LORD is with you.”
But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said:
“Go, tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD:
Should you build me a house to dwell in?’
“It was I who took you from the pasture
and from the care of the flock
to be commander of my people Israel.
I have been with you wherever you went,
and I have destroyed all your enemies before you.
And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth.
I will fix a place for my people Israel;
I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place
without further disturbance.
Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old,
since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel.
I will give you rest from all your enemies.
The LORD also reveals to you
that he will establish a house for you.
And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors,
I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins,
and I will make his kingdom firm.
I will be a father to him,
and he shall be a son to me.
Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me;
your throne shall stand firm forever.”
Responsorial Psalm PS 89:2-3, 4-5, 27-29
R/ (2a) For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
The promises of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”;
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R/ For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
“I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant:
Forever will I confirm your posterity
and establish your throne for all generations.”
R/ For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
“He shall say of me, ‘You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.’
Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,
and my covenant with him stands firm.”
R/ For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
The promises of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”;
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R/ For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
“I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant:
Forever will I confirm your posterity
and establish your throne for all generations.”
R/ For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
“He shall say of me, ‘You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.’
Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,
and my covenant with him stands firm.”
R/ For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
Reading 2ROM 16:25-27
Brothers and
sisters:
To him who can strengthen you,
according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages
but now manifested through the prophetic writings and,
according to the command of the eternal God,
made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith,
to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ
be glory forever and ever. Amen.
To him who can strengthen you,
according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages
but now manifested through the prophetic writings and,
according to the command of the eternal God,
made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith,
to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ
be glory forever and ever. Amen.
AlleluiaLK 1:38
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel LK 1:26-38
The angel Gabriel
was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
“Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
“Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.
Scripture Study
December 21, 2014
Fourth Sunday of Advent
This week we celebrate
the fourth and final Sunday of Advent. In the first reading, David wishes to
build a house (temple) for God. God, however, had other plans and promised to
build a house (dynasty) for David. The prophecy of Nathan in that reading forms
the basis for the Jewish expectation of a Davidic Messiah that we believe is
fulfilled in Christ. In the second reading, Paul ends his letter to the Romans
with a wonderful doxology which praises God for the mystery that He had kept
hidden and revealed in Jesus. The gospel tells us again the story of Gabriel’s
appearance to Mary and Mary’s yes to God’s call. All of these should cause us
to ask ourselves how seriously we take our service to God. If I were beginning
to live in royal splendor like David would I be struck with a desire to build a
temple for God? How “real” to me is the mystery of God’s love expressed in
Jesus? Would my yes to God have come as quickly as did the response from Mary?
First Reading: 2
Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12,14a,16
1 When King
David was settled in his palace, and the LORD had given him rest from his
enemies on every side, 2 he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here
I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God dwells in a tent!” 3 Nathan
answered the king, “Go, do whatever you have in mind, for the LORD is with
you.” 4 But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said: 5 “Go,
tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: Should you build me a house to
dwell in? [6 I have not dwelt in a house from the day on which I
led the Israelites out of Egypt to the present, but I have been going about in
a tent under cloth. 7 In all my wanderings everywhere among
the Israelites, did I ever utter a word to any one of the judges whom I charged
to tend my people Israel, to ask: Why have you not built me a house of cedar?'
8 "Now
then, speak thus to my servant David, 'The LORD of hosts has this to say:] It
was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of the flock to be commander
of my people Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you went,
and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. And I will make you famous
like the great ones of the earth. 10 I will fix a place for my
people Israel; I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without
further disturbance. Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they
did of old, 11 since the time I first appointed judges over my
people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. The LORD also
reveals to you that he will establish a house for you. 12 And
when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your
heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm. [13 It
is he who shall build a house for my name. And I will make his royal throne
firm forever.] 14 I will be a father to him, and he shall be a
son to me. [And if he does wrong, I will correct him with the rod of men and
with human chastisements; 15 but I will not withdraw my favor
from him as I withdrew it from your predecessor Saul, whom I removed from my
presence.] 16 Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever
before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.’”
NOTES on First
Reading:
* Verses in brackets
[] are omitted from the reading.
* 7:1 This chapter is
constructed on the wide range of meanings for the Hebrew word, “bayith,” or
“house.” It is taken as palace in v 1, temple in v 5, dynasty in v 12, family
or lineage in v 18. An even more prominent thread is the antithesis: David is
not to build a house (temple) for God (verse 5); God is to build a House
(dynasty) for David (verse 11). The real substance of the prophecy is the
perpetuity of the Davidic dynasty in Israel. This is the first reference to the
Davidic Messiah. See also Isa 7:14 ff; Mi 4:;14; Hg 2:22; Acts 2:30.
* 7:6-7 In fact, there
were two views of worship in Israel at the time. Although a new view was developing
in Israel represented by a desire to establish a temple based worship, the
older tradition represented by the ark was generally against the innovation of
a temple which followed Canaanite practice. The impasse was resolved by placing
the ark in the Temple and modeling the temple, to a degree, after the tent of
meeting that was used in the wilderness. Nathan himself was a supporter of the
older “ark” tradition.
* 7:8-16 This prophecy
to David also appears, in poetic form, in Psalm 89:20-38, and is indirectly
referenced in Psalm 132. The people of Israel are included in the promises to
David (2 Sam 7:10-11). They are anticipated in 2 Sam 7:6-7, and alluded to in
David’s thanksgiving, 2 Sam 7:23-24. The text applies to the people an
expression that is used of David in Psalm 89:23. This prophecy to David is the
basis for the Jewish expectation of a Messiah who was to be a son of David.
Christians have always seen Jesus Christ as the true and complete fulfillment
of this prophecy in a transcendent way. See Acts 2:30; Hebrews 1:5.
* 7:14 This verse
begins with a formula of adoption. See also Ps 2:7; 110:3d; and 89:30-33. 1 Chr
17:13 applies this text to the Messiah and suppresses the second part of the
verse.
Second Reading:
Romans 16: 25-27
25 Now to him
who can strengthen you, according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus
Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages 26 but
now manifested through the prophetic writings and, according to the command of
the eternal God, made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of
faith, 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ be glory
forever and ever. Amen.
NOTES on Second
Reading:
* 16:25-27 These
verses form an appropriate conclusion to the letter but there is considerable
disagreement as to where they really belong. Although most manuscripts place
them here some place them at the end of chapter 14 and some at the end of
chapter 15. Others omit them altogether. In many ways this provides a short,
solemn reminder of the main points of the letter. See 3:20; Jude 24-25.
* 16:25 Strengthen
refers to being firmly grounded in true doctrine and being strong in the
Christian practice.
* 16:26 Paul borrows
the idea of a mystery of wisdom long hidden in God and recently revealed from
Jewish apocalyptic (Dan 2:18-19) but he applies it to the climax of salvation
history, the cross of Christ.
Gospel Reading:
Luke 1:26-38
26 In the
sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called
Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of
the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And
coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But
she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting
this might be. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be
afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Behold,
you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 32 He
will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will
give him the throne of David his father, 33 and he will rule
over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 But
Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a
man?” 35And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will
come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore
the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 36 And
behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and
this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; 37 for
nothing will be impossible for God.” 38 Mary said, “Behold, I
am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then
the angel departed from her.
NOTES on Gospel:
* 1:26 The sixth month
of Elizabeth’s pregnancy.
* 1:27 The word
usually translated as “engaged or espoused” is a relatively rare Greek word,
“mnesteveim”, that indicated a situation of a legal marriage contract where the
principals don’t yet live together yet. In Galilee it was the last stage of an
engagement prior to moving in together.
“Virgin” as used here is derived from the Septuagint (ancient Greek text) of Isa 7:14. The Hebrew text uses a word that could mean either a virgin or simply a young woman.
The Church has always followed the interpretation of Matthew and of Luke who use the Septuagint version and therefore call Mary a Virgin.
“Virgin” as used here is derived from the Septuagint (ancient Greek text) of Isa 7:14. The Hebrew text uses a word that could mean either a virgin or simply a young woman.
The Church has always followed the interpretation of Matthew and of Luke who use the Septuagint version and therefore call Mary a Virgin.
* 1:28 The pattern of
the dialog follows that of the announcements of Ishmael, Isaac and Samson. The
word translated as “favored one” or “full of grace” means ” especially favored”
or “highly graced”.
* 1:31 This verse
tells us the reason for her being “highly favored.”
* 1:32 One of Luke’s
great purposes in the first two chapters of the gospel is to show that Jesus is
both “Son of David” and “Son of God.” He sets up a series of parallels: 2 Sam
7:9, Luke 1:32a 2 Sam 7:13, Luke 1:32b 2 Sam 7:14, Luke 1:33a 2 Sam 7:16, Luke
1:33b
* 1:34 Literally, “I
know not a man.” This is a Jewish idiom for not having had sexual intercourse.
See Isa 7:14.
* 1:35 The image of
the Holy Spirit is from Gen 1:2 and is also used in Rom 1:3-4. That God would
send His Son is a startling New Testament idea.
Courtesy
of: http://www.st-raymond-dublin.org/ -
St. Raymond Catholic Church
Meditation: "The Lord God will give to him the
throne of his father David, and of his kingdom there will be no end"
Do you know the
steadfast love of the Lord? God's love endures forever because he is a
covenant-making God who keeps his promises (Psalm 89:2-4). God showed special
favor to David when he anointed him to be king of Israel. After David had
established peace in the land and wanted to build a house for God, God
reassured him that he would build David a house, not made of stone but of
flesh, that would last forever (2 Samuel 7:12,16). This royal house would be no
ordinary dynasty because God himself promised to raise up an heir to David's
house, another "man after God's own heart" - a Savior and King who
would bring healing, pardon, and lasting peace for his people.
A new era of
grace and salvation begins with the miraculous conception and birth of Jesus
We begin to see the fulfillment of this prophecy and the unfolding of God's plan of redemption in the events leading up to the Incarnation, the birth of the Messiah King. The new era of salvation begins with the miraculous conception of Jesus in the womb of Mary. This child to be born is conceived by the gracious action of the Holy Spirit upon Mary, who finds favor with God (Luke 1:28). As Eve was the mother of all humanity doomed to sin, now Mary becomes the mother of the new Adam who will father a new humanity by his grace (Romans 5:12-21).
We begin to see the fulfillment of this prophecy and the unfolding of God's plan of redemption in the events leading up to the Incarnation, the birth of the Messiah King. The new era of salvation begins with the miraculous conception of Jesus in the womb of Mary. This child to be born is conceived by the gracious action of the Holy Spirit upon Mary, who finds favor with God (Luke 1:28). As Eve was the mother of all humanity doomed to sin, now Mary becomes the mother of the new Adam who will father a new humanity by his grace (Romans 5:12-21).
This child to be
conceived in her womb is the fulfillment of all God's promises. He will be
"great" and "Son of the Most Hig" and "King" and
his name shall be called "Jesus" (Luke 1:31-32), which means
"the Lord saves." "He will save his people from their sins"
(Matthew 1:21). The angel repeats to Mary, the daughter of the house of David,
the promise made to King David: "The Lord God will give to him the throne
of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of
his kingdom there will be no end" (2 Samuel 7:12-16, Isaiah 9:6-7, Luke
1:32-33).
Mary believed
God's word and gave her unqualified "yes" to God's will
How does Mary respond to the word of God delivered by the angel Gabriel? She knows she is hearing something beyond human capability. It will surely take a miracle which surpasses all that God has done previously. Her question, "how shall this be, since I have no husband" is not prompted by doubt or skepticism, but by wonderment! She is a true hearer of the Word and she immediately responds with faith and trust. Mary's prompt response of "yes" to the divine message is a model of faith for all believers. Mary believed God's promises even when they seemed impossible. She was full of grace because she trusted that what God said was true and would be fulfilled. She was willing and eager to do God's will, even if it seemed difficult or costly. Mary is the “mother of God” because God becomes incarnate when he takes on flesh in her womb. Jesus, whom the Father sent from heaven, is true God and true man.
How does Mary respond to the word of God delivered by the angel Gabriel? She knows she is hearing something beyond human capability. It will surely take a miracle which surpasses all that God has done previously. Her question, "how shall this be, since I have no husband" is not prompted by doubt or skepticism, but by wonderment! She is a true hearer of the Word and she immediately responds with faith and trust. Mary's prompt response of "yes" to the divine message is a model of faith for all believers. Mary believed God's promises even when they seemed impossible. She was full of grace because she trusted that what God said was true and would be fulfilled. She was willing and eager to do God's will, even if it seemed difficult or costly. Mary is the “mother of God” because God becomes incarnate when he takes on flesh in her womb. Jesus, whom the Father sent from heaven, is true God and true man.
God gives us the
grace to say "yes" to his will and to his transforming work in our
lives
When we pray the ancient Nicene Creed (325 AD) we state our confession of faith in this great mystery: "For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and was made man." God gives us grace and he expects us to respond with the same willingness, obedience, and heartfelt trust as Mary did. When God commands he also gives the help, strength, and means to respond. We can either yield to his grace or resist and go our own way. Do you believe in God's promises and do you yield to his grace?
When we pray the ancient Nicene Creed (325 AD) we state our confession of faith in this great mystery: "For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and was made man." God gives us grace and he expects us to respond with the same willingness, obedience, and heartfelt trust as Mary did. When God commands he also gives the help, strength, and means to respond. We can either yield to his grace or resist and go our own way. Do you believe in God's promises and do you yield to his grace?
"Heavenly Father,
you offer us abundant grace, mercy, and forgiveness through your Son, Our Lord
Jesus Christ. Help me to live a grace-filled life as Mary did by believing in
your promises and by giving you my unqualified "yes" to your will and
plan for my life."
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, DECEMBER 21, LUKE 1:26-38
ANTIPHON: O RADIANT DAWN
(2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Psalm 89; Romans 16:25-27)
KEY VERSE: "Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus" (v 31).
READING: Gabriel, God's angelic messenger, was sent to the insignificant village of Nazareth to proclaim the most glorious event the world had ever known. Mary (Hebrew,Miryam, "the exalted one"), was told that she would bear the "Son of the Most High" (v 32) who would inherit the eternal reign promised to King David (2 Sm 7:16). The child was to be named Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew), a name that implied his mission: the "Savior" of all people. Mary was given a sign to prove that "nothing was impossible with God" (v 37). Her kinswoman Elizabeth had conceived a son in her old age. To see this marvelous thing, Mary went to visit Elizabeth in the hill country near Bethlehem. Upon hearing Mary's greeting, the child leaped in Elizabeth's womb. In turn, Mary proclaimed her Magnificat, an expression of her faith in God's promise. Mary was the servant of the Lord who accepted God's will no matter how heavy the cross. Her disposition for listening, welcoming, humility, faithfulness, praise and waiting equip all Christians for full ministry in the Church.
REFLECTING: As you light the Fourth Candle of Advent pray for someone who needs hope in their life.
PRAYING: Blessed Virgin of Nazareth, pray that my heart will always be open to God's plan for my life.
O RADIANT DAWN
Today's O Antiphon is "O Oriens" (O Radiant Dawn). At Holy Mass in the ancient Church, Christians faced east so that they could greet the Coming of the Savior, both in the consecration of the bread and wine and in the expectation of the glorious return of the King of Glory. They turned to the rising sun who is Justice itself, who will lay bare the truth of our every word, thought and deed in the Final Day.
O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer,
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
In
the United States and the rest of the northern hemisphere, the first day of the
winter season is the day of the year when the Sun is farthest south (on
December 21st or 22nd). This day is known as the Winter Solstice. In the
Southern hemisphere, winter and summer solstices are exchanged so that the
winter solstice is the day on which the Sun is farthest north.
Sunday 21 December 2014
4th Sunday of Advent. V.
2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord—Ps 88(89):2-5, 27, 29. Romans 16:25-27. Luke 1:26-38 [St Peter Canisius].
2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord—Ps 88(89):2-5, 27, 29. Romans 16:25-27. Luke 1:26-38 [St Peter Canisius].
This is all part of the way
God wants things to be.
There are special people in
the history of salvation such as David whose obedience in faith delighted the
loving heart of God, and it is to these God revealed part of his plan for his
covenant.
At the Annunciation, these
plans came to fulfilment as the angel announced that the Lord God would give to
Jesus the throne of his father David, thus confirming his humanity, and then
that he was the Son of God, who would bring about the new covenant.
How blessed are we who
believe, as followers of Jesus, that we are fully caught up in this
wondrous mystery as we rejoice in the loving plan of God to draw our hearts
into his loving arms.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
|
In Anticipation
|
While we await the full and unending experience of God drawing
near to us, we must continue to work in the vineyard. We must continue to make
God’s love real in every condition and circumstance of our lives.
December
21
St. Peter Canisius
(1521-1597)
St. Peter Canisius
(1521-1597)
The energetic life of Peter Canisius should demolish any
stereotypes we may have of the life of a saint as dull or routine. Peter lived
his 76 years at a pace which must be considered heroic, even in our time of
rapid change. A man blessed with many talents, Peter is an excellent example of
the scriptural man who develops his talents for the sake of the Lord’s work.
He was
one of the most important figures in the Catholic Reformation in Germany. His
was such a key role that he has often been called the “second apostle of
Germany” in that his life parallels the earlier work of Boniface (June 5).
Although
Peter once accused himself of idleness in his youth, he could not have been
idle too long, for at the age of 19 he received a master’s degree from the
university at Cologne. Soon afterwards he met Peter Faber, the first disciple
of Ignatius Loyola (July 31), who influenced Peter so much that he joined the
recently formed Society of Jesus.
At this
early age Peter had already taken up a practice he continued throughout his
life—a process of study, reflection, prayer and writing. After his ordination
in 1546, he became widely known for his editions of the writings of St. Cyril
of Alexandria and St. Leo the Great. Besides this reflective literary bent,
Peter had a zeal for the apostolate. He could often be found visiting the sick
or prisoners, even when his assigned duties in other areas were more than
enough to keep most people fully occupied.
In 1547
Peter attended several sessions of the Council of Trent, whose decrees he was
later assigned to implement. After a brief teaching assignment at the Jesuit
college at Messina, Peter was entrusted with the mission to Germany—from that
point on his life’s work. He taught in several universities and was
instrumental in establishing many colleges and seminaries. He wrote a catechism
that explained the Catholic faith in a way which common people could
understand—a great need of that age.
Renowned
as a popular preacher, Peter packed churches with those eager to hear his
eloquent proclamation of the gospel. He had great diplomatic ability, often
serving as a reconciler between disputing factions. In his letters (filling
eight volumes) one finds words of wisdom and counsel to people in all walks of
life. At times he wrote unprecedented letters of criticism to leaders of the
Church—yet always in the context of a loving, sympathetic concern.
At 70
Peter suffered a paralytic seizure, but he continued to preach and write with
the aid of a secretary until his death in his hometown (Nijmegen, Netherlands)
on December 21, 1597.
Comment:
Peter’s untiring efforts are an apt example for those involved in the renewal of the Church or the growth of moral consciousness in business or government. He is regarded as one of the creators of the Catholic press, and can easily be a model for the Christian author or journalist. Teachers can see in his life a passion for the transmission of truth. Whether we have much to give, as Peter Canisius did, or whether we have only a little to give, as did the poor widow in the Gospel (see Luke 21:1–4), the important thing is to give our all. It is in this way that Peter is so exemplary for Christians in an age of rapid change when we are called to be in the world but not of the world.
Peter’s untiring efforts are an apt example for those involved in the renewal of the Church or the growth of moral consciousness in business or government. He is regarded as one of the creators of the Catholic press, and can easily be a model for the Christian author or journalist. Teachers can see in his life a passion for the transmission of truth. Whether we have much to give, as Peter Canisius did, or whether we have only a little to give, as did the poor widow in the Gospel (see Luke 21:1–4), the important thing is to give our all. It is in this way that Peter is so exemplary for Christians in an age of rapid change when we are called to be in the world but not of the world.
Quote:
When asked if he felt overworked, Peter replied, "If you have too much to do, with God's help you will find time to do it all."
When asked if he felt overworked, Peter replied, "If you have too much to do, with God's help you will find time to do it all."
Patron Saint of:
Germany
Germany
LECTIO DIVINA:
4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT (B)
Lectio:
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Opening prayer
Shaddai, God of the mountain,
You who make of our fragile life
the rock of your dwelling place,
lead our mind
to strike the rock of the desert,
so that water may gush to quench our thirst.
May the poverty of our feelings
cover us as with a mantle in the darkness of the night
and may it open our heart to hear the echo of silence
until the dawn,
wrapping us with the light of the new morning,
may bring us,
with the spent embers of the fire of the shepherds of the Absolute
who have kept vigil for us close to the divine Master,
the flavour of the holy memory.
You who make of our fragile life
the rock of your dwelling place,
lead our mind
to strike the rock of the desert,
so that water may gush to quench our thirst.
May the poverty of our feelings
cover us as with a mantle in the darkness of the night
and may it open our heart to hear the echo of silence
until the dawn,
wrapping us with the light of the new morning,
may bring us,
with the spent embers of the fire of the shepherds of the Absolute
who have kept vigil for us close to the divine Master,
the flavour of the holy memory.
1. LECTIO
a) The text: Luke 1,26-38
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a
town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named
Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 He went in
and said to her, 'Rejoice, you who enjoy God's favour! The Lord is with you.'
29 She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting
could mean, 30 but the angel said to her, 'Mary, do not be afraid; you have won
God's favour. 31 Look! You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you
must name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most
High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; 33 he will
rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.' 34 Mary
said to the angel, 'But how can this come about, since I have no knowledge of
man?' 35 The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power
of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy
and will be called Son of God. 36 And I tell you this too: your cousin
Elizabeth also, in her old age, has conceived a son, and she whom people called
barren is now in her sixth month, 37 for nothing is impossible to God.' 38 Mary
said, 'You see before you the Lord's servant, let it happen to me as you have
said.' And the angel left her.
b) A moment of silence:
Let us allow the voice of the Word to resonate within us.
Let us allow the voice of the Word to resonate within us.
2. MEDITATIO
a) Some questions:
- In the sixth month: do my eyes see the angels whom God sends
to visit me?
- Do not be afraid: do our worries arise from our fears and anxieties or do they come from our perception of some mystery hanging over us and involving us personally?
- Nothing is impossible to God: Generating is the work of God; accepting is the task of humanity. Do I make possible in my life the concept of a life that comes from the Spirit of God?
- Do not be afraid: do our worries arise from our fears and anxieties or do they come from our perception of some mystery hanging over us and involving us personally?
- Nothing is impossible to God: Generating is the work of God; accepting is the task of humanity. Do I make possible in my life the concept of a life that comes from the Spirit of God?
b) A key to the reading:
v. 26-27. In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town
in Galileecalled Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named
Joseph of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
In the sixth month: This is a precise moment for those who have read the previous page of the Gospel, the meeting of the angel Gabriel with Zachary in the temple. But for Mary, unbeknownst to her, this sixth month is her “today”. As it was for her so it is for us, there is a unique today, the time of invitation to enter into the project planned for us. But this today is not an isolated time, it is connected to the times of others, each unique and unrepeatable, a today to be set alongside the other todays until such time as the Word of God is fulfilled. The way of grace is very linear. The subject is God. The term of reference: a virgin. The intermediary: the angel Gabriel. Everything is named: the city is called Nazareth; the virgin: Mary; the man to whom she is betrothed: Joseph. Everything has a precise historical setting. The sixth month is that of Elisabeth’s pregnancy. The virgin is the betrothed bride. Joseph is of the House of David. God does not come haphazardly, he comes within the parameters already in existence, those human, drawn by people who have names.
In the sixth month: This is a precise moment for those who have read the previous page of the Gospel, the meeting of the angel Gabriel with Zachary in the temple. But for Mary, unbeknownst to her, this sixth month is her “today”. As it was for her so it is for us, there is a unique today, the time of invitation to enter into the project planned for us. But this today is not an isolated time, it is connected to the times of others, each unique and unrepeatable, a today to be set alongside the other todays until such time as the Word of God is fulfilled. The way of grace is very linear. The subject is God. The term of reference: a virgin. The intermediary: the angel Gabriel. Everything is named: the city is called Nazareth; the virgin: Mary; the man to whom she is betrothed: Joseph. Everything has a precise historical setting. The sixth month is that of Elisabeth’s pregnancy. The virgin is the betrothed bride. Joseph is of the House of David. God does not come haphazardly, he comes within the parameters already in existence, those human, drawn by people who have names.
v. 28. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, you who enjoy God’s
favour! The Lord is with you’.
The words of the Gospel, ‘He went in’, may be understood in two ways: he went into her house or he went into to her being. So, did Mary see the angel or not? She saw him and heard him. This is true since all that was said will be accomplished. With which eyes did she see him? The physical eyes or the spiritual ones? The mystery of a person’s encounter with God cannot be explained. It happens and that’s all. It is an encounter that leaves a sign, and herein lies the greatness of the event. She who is full of grace has only the eyes of the spirit, thus for her there is only one way of seeing, spiritually, that transparent look of the pure heart that can look upon God and not die.
The words of the Gospel, ‘He went in’, may be understood in two ways: he went into her house or he went into to her being. So, did Mary see the angel or not? She saw him and heard him. This is true since all that was said will be accomplished. With which eyes did she see him? The physical eyes or the spiritual ones? The mystery of a person’s encounter with God cannot be explained. It happens and that’s all. It is an encounter that leaves a sign, and herein lies the greatness of the event. She who is full of grace has only the eyes of the spirit, thus for her there is only one way of seeing, spiritually, that transparent look of the pure heart that can look upon God and not die.
v. 29. She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself
what this greeting could mean.
Mary being disturbed is quite legitimate. The way she sees herself, even though she is full of grace, does not allow her to distance herself from others, and so she is not aware of being full of grace, for her it is natural to be what she is, faithful to doing good always and everywhere, faithful to that interior attraction that raises her on high.
Mary being disturbed is quite legitimate. The way she sees herself, even though she is full of grace, does not allow her to distance herself from others, and so she is not aware of being full of grace, for her it is natural to be what she is, faithful to doing good always and everywhere, faithful to that interior attraction that raises her on high.
v. 30. The angel said to her: “Mary, do not be afraid; you have won
God’s favour.
Mary’s fear is the amazement of all little ones who are surprised at being the object of attention from someone important. And if this someone is God, how great then is that fear? So great that one feels one’s utter smallness and that one has everything from the free gift of love.
Mary’s fear is the amazement of all little ones who are surprised at being the object of attention from someone important. And if this someone is God, how great then is that fear? So great that one feels one’s utter smallness and that one has everything from the free gift of love.
v. 31. You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you
must name him Jesus.
The divine plan is revealed: to conceive and bring to light and to name him. The Saviour is already there, in the words of the angel. How wonderful! Centuries and centuries of waiting are fulfilled in these two syllables: Jesus.
The divine plan is revealed: to conceive and bring to light and to name him. The Saviour is already there, in the words of the angel. How wonderful! Centuries and centuries of waiting are fulfilled in these two syllables: Jesus.
v. 32-33. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.
The Lord god will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over
the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.
When the Lord approaches a person to call that person to take participate in his thoughts of redemption, he does so completely. What remains still obscure is the manner of the human cooperation, because the person remains free to concretise the fulfilment of God’s thought. The point of departure is: an “unforeseen” son. The destination is: the Son of the Most High, who will sit on the throne of David and will reign forever. The means for accomplishing this is your person. Now it is up to you to become the protagonist.
When the Lord approaches a person to call that person to take participate in his thoughts of redemption, he does so completely. What remains still obscure is the manner of the human cooperation, because the person remains free to concretise the fulfilment of God’s thought. The point of departure is: an “unforeseen” son. The destination is: the Son of the Most High, who will sit on the throne of David and will reign forever. The means for accomplishing this is your person. Now it is up to you to become the protagonist.
v. 34. Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I
have no knowledge of man?’
Mary asks of the angel the how of the fulfilment of the will of God. She does not doubt God, she knows that the Word pronounced by God is always possible. The how is what concerns her, what she is being called to be. She is certain that her desire and intention of not “knowing man” will continue, because God does not cancel the plans of his children, drawn up by their most authentic desires. She knows that her plan will fit into the plan just heard. But she does not know how it will happen. And so she simply asks to do exactly what has been asked of her.
Mary asks of the angel the how of the fulfilment of the will of God. She does not doubt God, she knows that the Word pronounced by God is always possible. The how is what concerns her, what she is being called to be. She is certain that her desire and intention of not “knowing man” will continue, because God does not cancel the plans of his children, drawn up by their most authentic desires. She knows that her plan will fit into the plan just heard. But she does not know how it will happen. And so she simply asks to do exactly what has been asked of her.
v. 35. The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come down upon you,
and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child
will be holy and will be called Son of God’.
The angel explains. Mary will simply have to accept, because it will be the Spirit who will descend in her, it will be the Most High who will overshadow her, and the Holy one will be born.
The angel explains. Mary will simply have to accept, because it will be the Spirit who will descend in her, it will be the Most High who will overshadow her, and the Holy one will be born.
vv. 36-37. And I tell you this too: your cousin Elizabeth also, in her old
age, has conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth
month, for nothing is impossible to God.
The experience of Elizabeth told by the angel to Mary is nothing more than an occasion of connecting with history. Mary must have already known of Elizabeth, because both were preparing the way for the fulfilment of promise made to Israel: John the voice, Jesus the spouse. It is the same project.
The experience of Elizabeth told by the angel to Mary is nothing more than an occasion of connecting with history. Mary must have already known of Elizabeth, because both were preparing the way for the fulfilment of promise made to Israel: John the voice, Jesus the spouse. It is the same project.
v. 38. Mary said, ‘You see before you the Lord’s servant, let it happen
to me as you have said.’ And the angel left her.
Mary’s reply is essential: Here I am. Her concentration on the Word pronounced to her is so great that she can only feel that she is a “servant”, a useful instrument in the concrete realisation of the will of the Father. Let it happen to me… this is nothing like a passive yes, it is a yes aware of the greatness of her involvement, a yes so deep that it brings forth the face of God in human features.
Mary’s reply is essential: Here I am. Her concentration on the Word pronounced to her is so great that she can only feel that she is a “servant”, a useful instrument in the concrete realisation of the will of the Father. Let it happen to me… this is nothing like a passive yes, it is a yes aware of the greatness of her involvement, a yes so deep that it brings forth the face of God in human features.
c) Reflection:
Ecce ancilla Domini; fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum! Behold… This word is essential
and full of life. No words are better suited to humankind than this being
present, awake, holding one’s breath so as not to lose anything of what the
mystery is sharing of Himself. Let it happen… God’s choice is
worthy of acceptance, but requires the deep silence of one’s whole being, let
it happen to me… Mary knows that she is not the protagonist, but the servant of
the divine will; she belongs to the group of servants that Jesus will call
friends: a servant does not know what his master does. But friends do know.
Whatsoever I have heard from my Father I have revealed to you. The shadow of
the Spirit that covers the tent of the presence on such a beautiful creature
for her availability, will whisper the mysterious secrets of the Eternal. And
the times that go on tracing new ways of grace will come to their peak when the
Son of God will see the light of an infinitely small space for his power, the
space of limitation and contingency. Mary, first cradle of the ineffable Word,
first embrace of the coming light, has no other treasure than her humility; a
hollow that receives the fullness, smallness that is called infinite, limited
love that demands the embrace of the infinite.
3. ORATIO
1 Samuel 2,1-10:
My heart exults in Yahweh,
in my God is my strength lifted up,
my mouth derides my foes,
for I rejoice in your deliverance.
There is no Holy One like Yahweh,
no Rock like our God.
The bow of the mighty has been broken
but those who were tottering are now braced with strength.
Yahweh judges the ends of the earth,
he endows his king with power,
he raises up the strength of his Anointed.
in my God is my strength lifted up,
my mouth derides my foes,
for I rejoice in your deliverance.
There is no Holy One like Yahweh,
no Rock like our God.
The bow of the mighty has been broken
but those who were tottering are now braced with strength.
Yahweh judges the ends of the earth,
he endows his king with power,
he raises up the strength of his Anointed.
4. CONTEMPLATIO
Lord, let the gentle breeze of silence, the breeze of grace,
carry away all the voices and sounds that gradually take my heart away from my
own existence. May the luminous trail of your passing by intoxicate with your
perfume the air I usually breathe so that I may seek no one but you. And when
the ruminated syllables of Scripture, together with the events that form the
memory of our encounter, will become the fibre of my flesh, the world will see
you again, will see your face in the physical features that I shall give to
you. The limits of my being will tell of the prodigies of your power, unless I
try uselessly to flee or avoid them, but I shall love them as the precision of
my human uniqueness. I shall then come to think your words, speak your words,
fulfil your words, because, by not fleeing from myself, I shall have met you
where you are: in the depths of my limited being, in my inner self and in my
essential silence, where love given brings forth love gift and creates bridges
of communion.
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