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
PsalmPS 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.
GospelLK 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.
Meditation: "Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!"
Does the proclamation of the Gospel message fill you
with joy and hope? When the Lord comes to redeem his people he fills us with
his Holy Spirit, the source of our joy and hope in the promises of
God When God made a covenant with David as King over Israel he made a
promise to David and to his descendants that David's dynasty would endure
forever through the coming of the Messiah King (2 Samuel 7:16). This King would
establish an everlasting kingdom of peace and security for his people. We often
think of peace as the absence of trouble. The peace which the Messiah brings
cancels the debt of sin and restores our broken relationship with God our
heavenly Father.
The new era of salvation begins with
the conception and birth of Jesus
We see the fulfillment of God's unfolding 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). This child will be "great" and "Son of the Most High" 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).
We see the fulfillment of God's unfolding 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). This child will be "great" and "Son of the Most High" 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 is a true hearer of the Word of God
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.
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. When we pray the Nicene Creed we state our confession of
faith in this great mystery: "For us men 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 the grace to say "yes" to his
will and to his transforming work in our lives
What is the key that unlocks the power and grace of God’s kingdom in our personal lives? Faith and obedience for sure! God gives us grace and he expects us to respond with the same willing obedience and heartfelt trust as Mary did. When God commands he also gives the help 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?
What is the key that unlocks the power and grace of God’s kingdom in our personal lives? Faith and obedience for sure! God gives us grace and he expects us to respond with the same willing obedience and heartfelt trust as Mary did. When God commands he also gives the help 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."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Jesus is Son of God and Son of Mary, by Bede the Venerable, 672-735 A.D.
"We should carefully note the order of the words
here, and the more firmly they are engrafted in our heart, the more evident it
will be that the sum total of our redemption consists in them. For they
proclaim with perfect clarity that the Lord Jesus, that is, our Savior, was
both the true Son of God the Father and the true Son of a mother who was a
human being. 'Behold,' he says, 'you will conceive in your womb and give birth
to a son' - acknowledge that this true human being assumed the true substance
of flesh from the flesh of the Virgin! 'He will be great and will be called the
Son of the Most High' - confess too that this same Son is true God of true God,
co-eternal Son forever of the eternal Father!" (excerpt from HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 1.3.22)
4th Sunday of Advent – Cycle B
Note: Where a Scripture text is underlined in the body of this discussion, it is recommended that the reader look up and read that passage.
Introduction
Anticipation and preparedness are the watchwords for Advent. Anticipation of the celebration of the birth of our Lord some 2000 years ago and the festivities, gifts, parties and family get-togethers which accompany that celebration. Preparedness because we are reminded that Jesus will come at the end of the world (the parousia) and all will be judged – not just on whether they believed or not, but how they have lived out their belief. Are the end times near? No one knows but the Father. We must always be ready because our personal parousia can come at any time.
1st Reading - 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
The two books of Samuel were originally one book which forms a continuation of the deuteronomic history of God’s chosen people. The book is first dominated by Samuel, the last of the Judges, who struggles to keep Israel faithful to Yahweh under increasing pressure from the Philistines. Defeats and the loss of the ark of the covenant, symbol of Yahweh’s protection, show that Israel needs a new kind of leadership – a king. Samuel anoints the first two kings, Saul and his successor, David. Saul constructs the beginnings of a stable monarchy but incurs divine displeasure and ends his rule in fits of black despondency and murderous hatred of David.
In the second book, the book from which our reading today comes, David is installed as king of Judah, and later as king of Israel as well. The twelve tribes are reunited under one leader. The reunited Israel then enjoys its most glorious period for it is, briefly, a major power in the Near East. Most important, however, is that David is the model for all kingship in Israel. He is a forceful yet attractive character, very human in his failings but passionate and intimate in his devotion to Yahweh. To him and to his line is promised endless rule, the basis of all future hope for a Messiah. This is our reading for today.
7:1 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!”
The peace which followed the victories over the Philistines had enabled David to arrange the bringing of the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem where it resides in a tabernacle (tent). Nathan is the senior religious advisor of David’s court.
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?
God equates His presence with the ark of the covenant. The ark is the sign of Yahweh’s covenant with His people and their protection against every coercive power. The ark was carried before the troops when they entered into battle.
8b 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.
This house is not the promise of a building, but of a dynasty, the House of David.
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.
The assurance of divine favor is extended to the dynasty.
14a I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me.
This is covenant language, they will be part of God’s family. David didn’t build the Temple to house the ark of the covenant, his son Solomon is the one chosen by God for this task. This is not a rejection of David, but a glorification of him through his son – no parent feels rejected when their child accomplishes great things.
16 Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.’”
This oracle is the earliest statement of the belief in the eternity of the dynasty of David, and is the root of the messianic expectation of the rule of David.
2nd Reading - Romans 16:25-27
Our second reading today is the final three verses of Saint Paul’s letter to the Romans. The letter was written to a congregation which had not been founded by Saint Paul, but was one which he anticipated visiting. The congregation is primarily composed of converted Jews and it is from the viewpoint of a former Pharisee that Saint Paul writes.
In our reading today, we find a new and different approach to the Jewish Scriptures:
the great mystery of God, gradually unveiled in the course of human history, is now fully understood in the light of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection.
25 Now to him who can strengthen you,
Saint Paul blesses God, who assures the gospel of Christ to human beings.
according to my gospel
This is the good news which Saint Paul makes known.
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
The Old Testament writings that bear on the mystery mentioned – such as our first reading.
“By saying this Paul is releasing the weak person from fear. For this secret was contained in the law. Indeed, it is what the law was all about. We cannot ask why it should be disclosed now, for to do this would be to call God to account. We ought not to behave like busybodies but instead be content with what we have been given.” [ Saint John Chrysostom (ca. A.D. 391), Homilies on the Epistle to the Romans 27]
and, according to the command of the eternal God,
Saint Paul may well be alluding to his commission as an apostle.
made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith,
Saint Paul sees faith as a process that begins with hearing and ends with a personal commitment and submission. This is what we Catholics call “faith and works.” It is interesting that the first and last mention of “faith” in Saint Paul’s letter to the Romans is expressed in terms of “obedience of faith” (Romans 1:5 and 16:26).
27 to the only wise God,
“Do not think that Paul said this in disparagement of the Son. For if all the things whereby His wisdom was made apparent were done by Christ and nothing was done without Him, it is quite plain that the Son is equal to the Father in wisdom also. The word ‘only’ is used in order to contrast God with every created being.” [Saint John Chrysostom (ca. A.D. 391), Homilies on the Epistle to the Romans 27]
through Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever. Amen.
The climax of the doxology. Praise is paid to God the Father through the Son, Jesus the Christ.
Gospel - Luke 1:26-38
Saint Luke was a Syrian of Antioch. He was neither an apostle nor an eyewitness of Jesus’ earthly life. He wasn’t even a prominent figure in the apostolic Church. He was a physician and a companion or collaborator of Saint Paul. Although Saint Luke is believed to have derived his gospel (and the Acts of the Apostles) from Saint Paul, it bears little reflection of Saint Paul’s theology as reflected in his letters. This has led scholars to theorize that Saint Luke’s association with Saint Paul was early, before Saint Paul’s theology was fully developed, before Saint Paul engaged in serious letter writing, and before the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15). A more likely answer is that the gospel message is like a brilliant jewel, and each individual approaches that jewel by viewing a different facet. The Holy Spirit has guided each of the sacred writers as they wrote, writing in terms with which they were familiar, and ensuring that each writer taught no theological error, no matter in what style he wrote.
Only two gospels contain what are known as the infancy narratives of Jesus. Today we hear the story of the Annunciation from Saint Luke’s gospel. If it sounds familiar, it is because we last heard it a couple of weeks ago on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
26[T]he angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
At the time of the annunciation, Nazareth was an obscure little town of some 150 people. It is believed to derive its name from the Hebrew word neser which means “shoot.” Thus, Jesus comes from the shoot of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1).
27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
The name Joseph means “may Yahweh add.”
of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.
The name Mary means “excellence.”
28 And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Mary has been told that God is with her, and most importantly, she is full of grace. As far as she is concerned, she has done nothing spectacular which would warrant a visit from an angel with this sort of greeting. She is puzzled.
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.
Jesus, in Hebrew, is Yeshua (Joshua). It means “Yahweh saves.”
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.”
Mary’s future son is described with language ordinarily reserved for God’s redeeming presence among His people: “Son of the Most High” (Genesis 14:19ff; Sirach 24:2), “everlasting king” (Genesis 21:33; Daniel 12:7; Psalm 24:7, 10; 97:1).
34 But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”
The angel has said “you shall conceive” not “you have conceived,” it is future tense. Mary is espoused to Joseph. If a “normal” married life was planned, the question makes no sense. If she, on the other hand was a consecrated virgin, then “normal” marital relations were not planned and the question becomes reasonable. The Gospel of the Birth of Mary (not considered inspired, but possibly relating some historical information), says that Mary entered the Temple at the age of three and lived with other virgins in the apartments of the Temple until the age of fourteen. “At that time the high priest made a public order. That all the virgins who had public settlements in the temple, and were come to this age, should return home, and, as they were now of a proper maturity, should, according to the custom of their country, endeavor to be married. To which command, though all the other virgins readily yielded obedience, Mary the Virgin of the Lord alone answered she could not comply with it. Assigning these reasons, that both she and her parents had devoted her to the service of the Lord; and besides, that she had vowed virginity to the Lord, which vow she was resolved never to break through by lying with a man” (The Lost Books of the Bible, Bell Publishing Company, New York, 1979, page 21).
35 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.
This reminds us of how God showed Himself to the people in the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34) and the Jerusalem Temple (1 Kings 8:10).
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;
This provides a link with the annunciation story of Elizabeth which preceded this one (Luke 1:11-13) and also lays the groundwork for the story of the Visitation which is to follow (Luke 1:39-56).
37 for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary’s virginity reveals a new depth of meaning: complete trust and obedience before God. 38 Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
This is a differential form of the word used in the Our Father: “Thy will be done.”
Then the angel departed from her.
Note: Where a Scripture text is underlined in the body of this discussion, it is recommended that the reader look up and read that passage.
Introduction
Anticipation and preparedness are the watchwords for Advent. Anticipation of the celebration of the birth of our Lord some 2000 years ago and the festivities, gifts, parties and family get-togethers which accompany that celebration. Preparedness because we are reminded that Jesus will come at the end of the world (the parousia) and all will be judged – not just on whether they believed or not, but how they have lived out their belief. Are the end times near? No one knows but the Father. We must always be ready because our personal parousia can come at any time.
1st Reading - 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
The two books of Samuel were originally one book which forms a continuation of the deuteronomic history of God’s chosen people. The book is first dominated by Samuel, the last of the Judges, who struggles to keep Israel faithful to Yahweh under increasing pressure from the Philistines. Defeats and the loss of the ark of the covenant, symbol of Yahweh’s protection, show that Israel needs a new kind of leadership – a king. Samuel anoints the first two kings, Saul and his successor, David. Saul constructs the beginnings of a stable monarchy but incurs divine displeasure and ends his rule in fits of black despondency and murderous hatred of David.
In the second book, the book from which our reading today comes, David is installed as king of Judah, and later as king of Israel as well. The twelve tribes are reunited under one leader. The reunited Israel then enjoys its most glorious period for it is, briefly, a major power in the Near East. Most important, however, is that David is the model for all kingship in Israel. He is a forceful yet attractive character, very human in his failings but passionate and intimate in his devotion to Yahweh. To him and to his line is promised endless rule, the basis of all future hope for a Messiah. This is our reading for today.
7:1 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!”
The peace which followed the victories over the Philistines had enabled David to arrange the bringing of the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem where it resides in a tabernacle (tent). Nathan is the senior religious advisor of David’s court.
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?
God equates His presence with the ark of the covenant. The ark is the sign of Yahweh’s covenant with His people and their protection against every coercive power. The ark was carried before the troops when they entered into battle.
8b 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.
This house is not the promise of a building, but of a dynasty, the House of David.
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.
The assurance of divine favor is extended to the dynasty.
14a I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me.
This is covenant language, they will be part of God’s family. David didn’t build the Temple to house the ark of the covenant, his son Solomon is the one chosen by God for this task. This is not a rejection of David, but a glorification of him through his son – no parent feels rejected when their child accomplishes great things.
16 Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.’”
This oracle is the earliest statement of the belief in the eternity of the dynasty of David, and is the root of the messianic expectation of the rule of David.
2nd Reading - Romans 16:25-27
Our second reading today is the final three verses of Saint Paul’s letter to the Romans. The letter was written to a congregation which had not been founded by Saint Paul, but was one which he anticipated visiting. The congregation is primarily composed of converted Jews and it is from the viewpoint of a former Pharisee that Saint Paul writes.
In our reading today, we find a new and different approach to the Jewish Scriptures:
the great mystery of God, gradually unveiled in the course of human history, is now fully understood in the light of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection.
25 Now to him who can strengthen you,
Saint Paul blesses God, who assures the gospel of Christ to human beings.
according to my gospel
This is the good news which Saint Paul makes known.
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
The Old Testament writings that bear on the mystery mentioned – such as our first reading.
“By saying this Paul is releasing the weak person from fear. For this secret was contained in the law. Indeed, it is what the law was all about. We cannot ask why it should be disclosed now, for to do this would be to call God to account. We ought not to behave like busybodies but instead be content with what we have been given.” [ Saint John Chrysostom (ca. A.D. 391), Homilies on the Epistle to the Romans 27]
and, according to the command of the eternal God,
Saint Paul may well be alluding to his commission as an apostle.
made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith,
Saint Paul sees faith as a process that begins with hearing and ends with a personal commitment and submission. This is what we Catholics call “faith and works.” It is interesting that the first and last mention of “faith” in Saint Paul’s letter to the Romans is expressed in terms of “obedience of faith” (Romans 1:5 and 16:26).
27 to the only wise God,
“Do not think that Paul said this in disparagement of the Son. For if all the things whereby His wisdom was made apparent were done by Christ and nothing was done without Him, it is quite plain that the Son is equal to the Father in wisdom also. The word ‘only’ is used in order to contrast God with every created being.” [Saint John Chrysostom (ca. A.D. 391), Homilies on the Epistle to the Romans 27]
through Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever. Amen.
The climax of the doxology. Praise is paid to God the Father through the Son, Jesus the Christ.
Gospel - Luke 1:26-38
Saint Luke was a Syrian of Antioch. He was neither an apostle nor an eyewitness of Jesus’ earthly life. He wasn’t even a prominent figure in the apostolic Church. He was a physician and a companion or collaborator of Saint Paul. Although Saint Luke is believed to have derived his gospel (and the Acts of the Apostles) from Saint Paul, it bears little reflection of Saint Paul’s theology as reflected in his letters. This has led scholars to theorize that Saint Luke’s association with Saint Paul was early, before Saint Paul’s theology was fully developed, before Saint Paul engaged in serious letter writing, and before the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15). A more likely answer is that the gospel message is like a brilliant jewel, and each individual approaches that jewel by viewing a different facet. The Holy Spirit has guided each of the sacred writers as they wrote, writing in terms with which they were familiar, and ensuring that each writer taught no theological error, no matter in what style he wrote.
Only two gospels contain what are known as the infancy narratives of Jesus. Today we hear the story of the Annunciation from Saint Luke’s gospel. If it sounds familiar, it is because we last heard it a couple of weeks ago on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
26[T]he angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
At the time of the annunciation, Nazareth was an obscure little town of some 150 people. It is believed to derive its name from the Hebrew word neser which means “shoot.” Thus, Jesus comes from the shoot of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1).
27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
The name Joseph means “may Yahweh add.”
of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.
The name Mary means “excellence.”
28 And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Mary has been told that God is with her, and most importantly, she is full of grace. As far as she is concerned, she has done nothing spectacular which would warrant a visit from an angel with this sort of greeting. She is puzzled.
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.
Jesus, in Hebrew, is Yeshua (Joshua). It means “Yahweh saves.”
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.”
Mary’s future son is described with language ordinarily reserved for God’s redeeming presence among His people: “Son of the Most High” (Genesis 14:19ff; Sirach 24:2), “everlasting king” (Genesis 21:33; Daniel 12:7; Psalm 24:7, 10; 97:1).
34 But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”
The angel has said “you shall conceive” not “you have conceived,” it is future tense. Mary is espoused to Joseph. If a “normal” married life was planned, the question makes no sense. If she, on the other hand was a consecrated virgin, then “normal” marital relations were not planned and the question becomes reasonable. The Gospel of the Birth of Mary (not considered inspired, but possibly relating some historical information), says that Mary entered the Temple at the age of three and lived with other virgins in the apartments of the Temple until the age of fourteen. “At that time the high priest made a public order. That all the virgins who had public settlements in the temple, and were come to this age, should return home, and, as they were now of a proper maturity, should, according to the custom of their country, endeavor to be married. To which command, though all the other virgins readily yielded obedience, Mary the Virgin of the Lord alone answered she could not comply with it. Assigning these reasons, that both she and her parents had devoted her to the service of the Lord; and besides, that she had vowed virginity to the Lord, which vow she was resolved never to break through by lying with a man” (The Lost Books of the Bible, Bell Publishing Company, New York, 1979, page 21).
35 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.
This reminds us of how God showed Himself to the people in the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34) and the Jerusalem Temple (1 Kings 8:10).
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;
This provides a link with the annunciation story of Elizabeth which preceded this one (Luke 1:11-13) and also lays the groundwork for the story of the Visitation which is to follow (Luke 1:39-56).
37 for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary’s virginity reveals a new depth of meaning: complete trust and obedience before God. 38 Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
This is a differential form of the word used in the Our Father: “Thy will be done.”
Then the angel departed from her.
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church,
Picayune, MS http://www.scborromeo.org
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, LUKE 1:26-38
(2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Psalm 89; Romans 16:25-27)
(Vigil: Isaiah 62:1-5) Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Matthew 1:1-25 or 1:18-25)
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, LUKE 1:26-38
(2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Psalm 89; Romans 16:25-27)
(Vigil: Isaiah 62:1-5) Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Matthew 1:1-25 or 1:18-25)
KEY VERSE: "Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus" (v 31).
TO KNOW: Gabriel, the angelic messenger of God, 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 ministry in the Church.
TO LOVE: As you light the Fourth Candle of Advent pray for someone who needs hope in his/her life.
TO SERVE: Blessed Virgin of Nazareth, pray that my heart will always be open to God's plan for my life.
Sunday 24
December 2017
Advent Season of Creation. Fourth Sunday of Advent. Christmas
Eve.
2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16. Psalm 88(89):2-5, 27, 29. Romans
16:25-27. Luke 1:26-38.
For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord – Psalm
88(89):2-5, 27, 29.
A discerning heart.
One cannot escape the sense of expectation
emerging from the readings this week. They reveal to us more details of God’s
“plan” to restore relationship with humanity in a manner which respects the
human capacity freely to choose right and wrong.
David the king, who for many years
has fought militarily for his survival and the unification of his kingdom, is
promised that his house will endure as an everlasting kingdom. He who is
enjoying a period of peace is asked to build a dwelling place for God. We
witness here a window into the way in which God’s redemption is evolving. God
works through David’s leadership, although the results will be so much more
than anything David could have imagined!
The good we do often goes
unnoticed – but its effect lasts way beyond the action itself, even after we
have moved on – this is the mark of a true leader, such as the biblical David.
The promise to David finds
fulfilment in the angel’s words to Mary in the gospel. Her response is
carefully constructed; in our words, she enters into a time of discernment. Can
this truly be the will of God for me? As to the true role and identity of the
child, she will only learn this as her life, and that of her child, unfold.
Mary eventually discerns that this
is indeed a call from God, even though she also would have little appreciation
of the result of such a decision. We hear of a sign when she sees her cousin
with child – just as the angel had told her. She sees this as confirmation that
she has made the right choice.
All of what we see that is wrong
in the world that wears us down and makes us feel less human and alive are the
results ultimately of human error, that of ourselves, our ancestors and other
people. God’s way is to let us know we are loved and valued – his divine
hospitality welcomes us even when we do not deserve it. We know so little about
Mary but are utterly grateful for her life: she is for us the true leader. With
her, we can ask for the Spirit to help us listen and to teach us to discern
Gods’ call for us in this never-ending evolution of God’s mission.
LECTIO DIVINA: 4TH SUNDAY OF
ADVENT (B)
Lectio Divina:
Sunday, December 24, 2017
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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