The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) - Mass
at Dawn
Lectionary: 15
Lectionary: 15
See, the LORD proclaims
to the ends of the earth:
say to daughter Zion,
your savior comes!
Here is his reward with him,
his recompense before him.
They shall be called the holy people,
the redeemed of the LORD,
and you shall be called "Frequented,"
a city that is not forsaken.
to the ends of the earth:
say to daughter Zion,
your savior comes!
Here is his reward with him,
his recompense before him.
They shall be called the holy people,
the redeemed of the LORD,
and you shall be called "Frequented,"
a city that is not forsaken.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 97:1, 6, 11-12
R. A light
will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many isles be glad.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
R. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.
Light dawns for the just;
and gladness, for the upright of heart.
Be glad in the LORD, you just,
and give thanks to his holy name.
R. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many isles be glad.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
R. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.
Light dawns for the just;
and gladness, for the upright of heart.
Be glad in the LORD, you just,
and give thanks to his holy name.
R. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.
Reading 2TI 3:4-7
Beloved:
When the kindness and generous love
of God our savior appeared,
not because of any righteous deeds we had done
but because of his mercy,
He saved us through the bath of rebirth
and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
whom he richly poured out on us
through Jesus Christ our savior,
so that we might be justified by his grace
and become heirs in hope of eternal life.
When the kindness and generous love
of God our savior appeared,
not because of any righteous deeds we had done
but because of his mercy,
He saved us through the bath of rebirth
and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
whom he richly poured out on us
through Jesus Christ our savior,
so that we might be justified by his grace
and become heirs in hope of eternal life.
AlleluiaLK 2:14
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to those
on whom his favor rests.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to those
on whom his favor rests.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 2:15-20
When the angels went away from them to heaven,
the shepherds said to one another,
"Let us go, then, to Bethlehem
to see this thing that has taken place,
which the Lord has made known to us."
So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them.
the shepherds said to one another,
"Let us go, then, to Bethlehem
to see this thing that has taken place,
which the Lord has made known to us."
So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them.
Meditation: The shepherds
glorified God for all they had seen
Have
you read the news today - the "good news" of Jesus Christ, the Son of
God and son of Mary who was born for us and for our salvation. The word gospel literally
means good news! Jesus' birth in Bethlehem fulfilled the prophecy
that the Messiah would descend from David and be born in David's city,
Bethlehem (Isaiah 9:6-7, 11:1-2; Micah 5:2-4).
The
first to hear the good news of the savior's birth were not the rulers and
religious leaders of Israel who were robed in riches and power. The angels
first came to those who were humble and ready to receive the newborn king
who was born in poverty and was now lying in a manger made for animals. Just as
God had chosen and anointed David, a lowly shepherd of Bethlehem to become the
shepherd king of Israel, so Jesus, likewise chose the path of humility and
lowliness in coming to Israel as the good shepherd king who would lay down his
life for their sake and salvation. After the angels had sung their hymn of
glory in the presence of the shepherds, the shepherds made haste to adore the
newborn king and sing their hymn of glory as well.
Many
of the early church fathers have written hymns and homilies in praise of the
Incarnation. John the Monk, an 8th century writer, in his Hymn of the
Nativity, sings of the great exchange in the mystery and wonder of the
Incarnation - God becoming man in order to bring man to heaven:
Heaven
and earth are united today, for Christ is born! Today God has come upon earth,
and humankind gone up to heaven. Today, for the sake of humankind, the
invisible one is seen in the flesh. Therefore let us glorify him and cry aloud:
glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace bestowed by your coming,
Savior: glory to you! Today in Bethlehem, I hear the angels: glory to God in
the highest! Glory to him whose good pleasure it was that there be peace on
earth! The Virgin is now more spacious than the heavens. Light has shone on
those in darkness, exalting the lowly who sing like the angels: Glory to God in
the highest! Beholding him [Adam] who was in God’s image and likeness fallen
through transgression, Jesus bowed the heavens and came down, without change
taking up his dwelling in a virgin womb, that he might refashion Adam fallen in
corruption, and crying out: glory to your epiphany, my Savior and my God! [Stichera (hymn) of the
Nativity of the Lord]
Why
was it necessary for the Word of God to become flesh? We needed a savior who
could reconcile us with God. Throughout the ages Christians have professed the
ancient Nicene Creed: "He became man for our sake and for the sake of our
salvation." The eternal Word became flesh for us so he could offer his
life as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world through the shedding of
his blood on the cross. The Word became flesh to show us the infinite love and
tender mercy of God for us sinners.
In the feast of Christmas we celebrate present realities - Jesus Christ our redeemer who reigns in heaven and who also lives and reigns in our hearts through the gift and working of the Holy Spirit. And we commemorate past events - the birth of the newborn Messiah King and his manifestation to Israel and to the gentile nations. We thank and bless God for the way in which he has saved us from the power of sin and the curse of death and destruction by sending his son to ransom us and give us pardon and abundant life through the gift and working of the Holy Spirit. Today we celebrate the birthday of our King and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
In the feast of Christmas we celebrate present realities - Jesus Christ our redeemer who reigns in heaven and who also lives and reigns in our hearts through the gift and working of the Holy Spirit. And we commemorate past events - the birth of the newborn Messiah King and his manifestation to Israel and to the gentile nations. We thank and bless God for the way in which he has saved us from the power of sin and the curse of death and destruction by sending his son to ransom us and give us pardon and abundant life through the gift and working of the Holy Spirit. Today we celebrate the birthday of our King and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
God
wants to fill our hearts anew with joy and gratitude for the greatest gift he
could possibly give us - his beloved Son Jesus. What can we give thanks for in
this great feast of the Incarnation? We can praise and thank God our Father for
the fact that the Son of God freely and joyfully assumed a human nature in
order to accomplish our salvation in it. Jesus came to release the captives
from slavery to sin and to open the gates of paradise once again. This day the
Holy Spirit invites us to make haste - as the shepherds of Bethlehem did - to
adore Jesus our King and Messiah. The Lord Jesus Christ is our eternal
good shepherd who guides and cares for us unceasingly and who gives us abundant
everlasting life and union with the triune God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
This
day the whole community of heaven joins with all believers of good will on
earth in a jubilant song of praise for the good news proclaimed by the angels
on Christmas eve: Behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which
will come to all the people, for to you is born this day in the city of David a
Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:10-11).
The
joy of Christmas is not for a day or a season. It is an eternal joy, a joy that
no one can take from us because it is the joy of Jesus Christ himself made
present in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who dwells within us (see Romans
5:2-5). The Lord gives us a supernatural joy which no pain nor sorrow can
diminish, and which neither life nor death can take away. Do you know the joy
of your salvation in Jesus Christ?
"Lord
our God, with the birth of your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, your glory breaks
on the world. As we celebrate his first coming, give us a foretaste of the joy
that you will grant us when the fulness of his glory has filled the
earth."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: The shepherds are the first
proclaimers of the Gospel, by Bede the Venerable, 672-735 A.D.
"The
shepherds did not keep silent about the hidden mysteries that they had come to
know by divine influence. They told whomever they could. Spiritual shepherds in
the church are appointed especially for this, that they may proclaim the
mysteries of the Word of God and that they may show to their listeners that the
marvels which they have learned in the Scriptures are to be marveled
at." (excerpt from HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 1.7)
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) - Mass
During the Day
Lectionary: 16
Lectionary: 16
Reading 1IS 52:7-10
How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings glad tidings,
announcing peace, bearing good news,
announcing salvation, and saying to Zion,
"Your God is King!"
Hark! Your sentinels raise a cry,
together they shout for joy,
for they see directly, before their eyes,
the LORD restoring Zion.
Break out together in song,
O ruins of Jerusalem!
For the LORD comforts his people,
he redeems Jerusalem.
The LORD has bared his holy arm
in the sight of all the nations;
all the ends of the earth will behold
the salvation of our God.
are the feet of him who brings glad tidings,
announcing peace, bearing good news,
announcing salvation, and saying to Zion,
"Your God is King!"
Hark! Your sentinels raise a cry,
together they shout for joy,
for they see directly, before their eyes,
the LORD restoring Zion.
Break out together in song,
O ruins of Jerusalem!
For the LORD comforts his people,
he redeems Jerusalem.
The LORD has bared his holy arm
in the sight of all the nations;
all the ends of the earth will behold
the salvation of our God.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6
R. (3c) All the
ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
his right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
his right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Reading 2HEB 1:1-6
Brothers and sisters:
In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways
to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son,
whom he made heir of all things
and through whom he created the universe,
who is the refulgence of his glory,
the very imprint of his being,
and who sustains all things by his mighty word.
When he had accomplished purification from sins,
he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
as far superior to the angels
as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
For to which of the angels did God ever say:
You are my son; this day I have begotten you?
Or again:
I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me?
And again, when he leads the firstborn into the world, he says:
Let all the angels of God worship him.
In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways
to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son,
whom he made heir of all things
and through whom he created the universe,
who is the refulgence of his glory,
the very imprint of his being,
and who sustains all things by his mighty word.
When he had accomplished purification from sins,
he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
as far superior to the angels
as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
For to which of the angels did God ever say:
You are my son; this day I have begotten you?
Or again:
I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me?
And again, when he leads the firstborn into the world, he says:
Let all the angels of God worship him.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
A holy day has dawned upon us.
Come, you nations, and adore the Lord.
For today a great light has come upon the earth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A holy day has dawned upon us.
Come, you nations, and adore the Lord.
For today a great light has come upon the earth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelJN 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world,
and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own,
but his own people did not accept him.
But to those who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name,
who were born not by natural generation
nor by human choice nor by a man's decision
but of God.
And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father's only Son,
full of grace and truth.
John testified to him and cried out, saying,
"This was he of whom I said,
'The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.'"
From his fullness we have all received,
grace in place of grace,
because while the law was given through Moses,
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God.
The only Son, God, who is at the Father's side,
has revealed him.
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world,
and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own,
but his own people did not accept him.
But to those who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name,
who were born not by natural generation
nor by human choice nor by a man's decision
but of God.
And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father's only Son,
full of grace and truth.
John testified to him and cried out, saying,
"This was he of whom I said,
'The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.'"
From his fullness we have all received,
grace in place of grace,
because while the law was given through Moses,
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God.
The only Son, God, who is at the Father's side,
has revealed him.
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world,
and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own,
but his own people did not accept him.
But to those who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name,
who were born not by natural generation
nor by human choice nor by a man's decision
but of God.
And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father's only Son,
full of grace and truth.
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world,
and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own,
but his own people did not accept him.
But to those who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name,
who were born not by natural generation
nor by human choice nor by a man's decision
but of God.
And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father's only Son,
full of grace and truth.
Meditation: "The Word
became flesh and dwelt among us"
Why
does John the Evangelist begin his Gospel account with a description of the
Word of God and the creation of the universe and humankind? How might the
beginning of John's Gospel be linked with the beginning of the first book of
Genesis (John 1:1-3 and Genesis 1:1-3)? The “word of God” was a common
expression among the Jews. God’s word in the Old Testament is an active,
creative, and dynamic word. “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made”
(Psalm 33:6). “He sends forth his commands to the earth; his word runs swiftly”
(Psalm 147:15). “Is not my word like fire, says the Lord, and like a hammer
which breaks the rock in pieces” (Jeremiah 23:29)? The writer of the Book of
Wisdom addresses God as the one who “made all things by your word” (Wisdom
9:1).
The
eternal Word leaped down from heaven
God’s word is also equated with his wisdom. “The Lord by wisdom founded the earth” (Proverbs 3:19). The Book of Wisdom describes “wisdom” as God’s eternal, creative, and illuminating power. Both “word” and “wisdom” are seen as one and the same. “For while gentle silence enveloped all things, and night in its swift course was now half gone, your all-powerful word leaped from heaven, from the royal throne, into the midst of the land that was doomed, a stern warrior carrying the sharp sword of your authentic command” (Book of Wisdom 18:14-16).
God’s word is also equated with his wisdom. “The Lord by wisdom founded the earth” (Proverbs 3:19). The Book of Wisdom describes “wisdom” as God’s eternal, creative, and illuminating power. Both “word” and “wisdom” are seen as one and the same. “For while gentle silence enveloped all things, and night in its swift course was now half gone, your all-powerful word leaped from heaven, from the royal throne, into the midst of the land that was doomed, a stern warrior carrying the sharp sword of your authentic command” (Book of Wisdom 18:14-16).
Truly
man and truly God
John describes Jesus as God’s creative, life-giving and light-giving word that has come to earth in human form. “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Jesus is the wisdom and power of God which created the world and sustains it who assumed a human nature in order to accomplish our salvation in it. Jesus became truly man while remaining truly God. “What he was, he remained, and what he was not he assumed” (from an early church antiphon for morning prayer). Jesus Christ is truly the Son of God who, without ceasing to be God and Lord, became a man and our brother. From the time of the Apostles the Christian faith has insisted on the incarnation of God’s Son “who has come in the flesh” (1 John 4:2)
.
Gregory of Nyssa, one of the great early church fathers (330-395 AD) wrote: Sick, our nature demanded to be healed; fallen, to be raised up; dead, to rise again. We had lost the possession of the good; it was necessary for it to be given back to us. Closed in darkness, it was necessary to bring us the light; captives, we awaited a Savior; prisoners, help; slaves, a liberator. Are these things minor or insignificant? Did they not move God to descend to human nature and visit it, since humanity was in so miserable and unhappy a state?
John describes Jesus as God’s creative, life-giving and light-giving word that has come to earth in human form. “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Jesus is the wisdom and power of God which created the world and sustains it who assumed a human nature in order to accomplish our salvation in it. Jesus became truly man while remaining truly God. “What he was, he remained, and what he was not he assumed” (from an early church antiphon for morning prayer). Jesus Christ is truly the Son of God who, without ceasing to be God and Lord, became a man and our brother. From the time of the Apostles the Christian faith has insisted on the incarnation of God’s Son “who has come in the flesh” (1 John 4:2)
.
Gregory of Nyssa, one of the great early church fathers (330-395 AD) wrote: Sick, our nature demanded to be healed; fallen, to be raised up; dead, to rise again. We had lost the possession of the good; it was necessary for it to be given back to us. Closed in darkness, it was necessary to bring us the light; captives, we awaited a Savior; prisoners, help; slaves, a liberator. Are these things minor or insignificant? Did they not move God to descend to human nature and visit it, since humanity was in so miserable and unhappy a state?
Christians
never cease proclaiming anew the wonder of the Incarnation. The Son of
God assumed a human nature in order to accomplish our salvation in it. The Son
of God ...worked with human hands; he thought with a human mind. He acted with
a human will, and with a human heart he loved. Born of the Virgin Mary,
he has truly been made one of us, like to us in all things except sin (Gaudium
et Spes).
We
become partakers of Christ's divine nature
If we are going to behold the glory of God we will do it through Jesus Christ. Jesus became the partaker of our humanity so we could be partakers of his divinity (2 Peter 1:4). God's purpose for us, even from the beginning of his creation, is that we would be fully united with Him. When Jesus comes God is made known as the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. By our being united in Jesus, God becomes our Father and we become his sons and daughters. Do you thank the Father for sending his only begotten Son to redeem you and to share with you his glory?
If we are going to behold the glory of God we will do it through Jesus Christ. Jesus became the partaker of our humanity so we could be partakers of his divinity (2 Peter 1:4). God's purpose for us, even from the beginning of his creation, is that we would be fully united with Him. When Jesus comes God is made known as the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. By our being united in Jesus, God becomes our Father and we become his sons and daughters. Do you thank the Father for sending his only begotten Son to redeem you and to share with you his glory?
"Almighty
God and Father of light, your eternal Word leaped down from heaven in the
silent watches of the night. Open our hearts to receive his life and increase
our vision with the rising of dawn, that our lives may be filled with his glory
and his peace.”
SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD (CHRISTMAS)
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, MATTHEW 1:1-25 or Matthew 1:18-25
Holy Day of Obligation
(Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 89; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25)
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, MATTHEW 1:1-25 or Matthew 1:18-25
Holy Day of Obligation
(Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 89; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25)
KEY VERSE: "Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah" (v. 16).
TO KNOW: Matthew begins his gospel with a genealogy to show that Jesus was the fulfillment of Israel's longing for a Messiah. Matthew traces Israel's history through three sets of fourteen generations, from the days of glory when King David sat on the throne to the days of agony when God's people were taken into exile in Babylonia. Matthew's genealogy is symbolic rather than historic. The number 14 is the numerical value of the consonants in the Hebrew version of David's name (DVD, 4+6+4=14), suggesting that the whole genealogy has a Davidic character. Jesus is the Messianic King whose throne would stand firm forever (2 Sm 7:16). Although Joseph (of the household of David) assumed legal paternity for the child, the virginal birth shows that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus' family tree also shows some surprising irregularities. Except for Mary, the mother of Jesus, the other four women mentioned are all non-Jews ̶ Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba. Jesus was the faithful son of Abraham through whom all nations would be blessed (Gn 12:3). The child was given the title "Emmanuel" meaning "God is with us." At the end of Matthew's gospel, Jesus told his disciples, "Know that I am with you always, until the end of the world (Matt 28:20).
TO LOVE: How will I share the good news of Jesus Christ with others on Christmas day?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, during the business of this day, help me to take a few moments to be with you.
Wednesday 25 December 2019
Christmas Day (Mass During The Day)
Isaiah 52:7-10. Psalm 97(98):1-6. Hebrews 1:1-6. John 1:1-18.
All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God – Psalm 97(98):1-6.
‘The word became flesh and dwelt amongst us.’
Isaiah 52:7-10. Psalm 97(98):1-6. Hebrews 1:1-6. John 1:1-18.
All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God – Psalm 97(98):1-6.
‘The word became flesh and dwelt amongst us.’
A Great Mystery: the birth of Christ. A union of extremes. A mysterious
and unexpected meeting of omnipotence and impotence, divinity and infancy. In
his incarnation, God humbly shares with us the fragility of the human
condition, a vulnerable child born to the lowliest of parents. For centuries,
Christians have marvelled at this great mystery, awed by the God who ‘emptied
himself, taking the form of a servant’ (Phil 2:7). As we celebrate the day with
our loved ones, we must not forget to turn our minds towards that little
family, to the wondrous means of our salvation, and contemplate with author G.K
Chesterton, ‘that the hands that had made the sun and stars were too small to
reach the huge heads of the cattle.’ May the Father, in his infinite goodness,
give us a privileged experience of grace as we contemplate the birth of Jesus
with reverence and awe.
The Nativity of the Lord
Saint of the Day for December 25
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| Nativity | Martin Torner |
The Story of the Nativity of the Lord
On this day, the Church focuses especially on the newborn Child,
God become human, who embodies for us all the hope and peace we seek. We need
no other special saint today to lead us to Christ in the manger, although his
mother Mary and Joseph, caring for his foster-son, help round out the scene.
But if we were to select a patron for today, perhaps it might be
appropriate for us to imagine an anonymous shepherd, summoned to the birthplace
by a wondrous and even disturbing vision in the night, a summons from an
angelic choir, promising peace and goodwill. A shepherd willing to seek out
something that might just be too unbelievable to chase after, and yet
compelling enough to leave behind the flocks in the field and search for a
mystery.
On the day of the Lord’s birth, let’s let an unnamed,
“non-celebrity” at the edge of the crowd model for us the way to discover
Christ in our own hearts—somewhere between skepticism and wonder, between
mystery and faith. And like Mary and the shepherds, let’s treasure that
discovery in our hearts.
Reflection
The precise dating in the Scripture readings for today sounds
like a textbook on creationism. If we focus on the time frame, however, we miss
the point. It lays out the story of a love affair: creation, the deliverance of
the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt, the rise of Israel under David. It climaxes
with the birth of Jesus. Some scholars insist that from the beginning God
intended to enter the world as one of us, the beloved people. Praise God!
The Birth of the Lord (A)
Lectio Divina
Wednesday, December 25, 2019
The Prologue of John’s Gospel
John 1:1-18
John 1:1-18
1. OPENING PRAYER
In the darkness of a starless night,
a night of no sense,
you, the Word of life,
like lightning in the storm of forgetfulness,
entered within the bounds of doubt
under cover of the limits of precariousness
to hide the light.
Words made of silence and of the ordinary,
your human words, heralds of the secrets of the Most High:
like hooks cast into the waters of death
to find man once more, immersed in his anxious follies,
and reclaim him, plundered, through the attractive radiance of
forgiveness.
To you, Ocean of Peace and shadow of eternal Glory,
I render thanks:
Calm waters on my shore that awaits the wave, I wish to seek you!
And may the friendship of the brothers protect me
when night falls on my desire for you. Amen.
a night of no sense,
you, the Word of life,
like lightning in the storm of forgetfulness,
entered within the bounds of doubt
under cover of the limits of precariousness
to hide the light.
Words made of silence and of the ordinary,
your human words, heralds of the secrets of the Most High:
like hooks cast into the waters of death
to find man once more, immersed in his anxious follies,
and reclaim him, plundered, through the attractive radiance of
forgiveness.
To you, Ocean of Peace and shadow of eternal Glory,
I render thanks:
Calm waters on my shore that awaits the wave, I wish to seek you!
And may the friendship of the brothers protect me
when night falls on my desire for you. Amen.
2. READING
a) The text:
1 In the beginning was the Word: the Word was with God and the
Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things came
into being, not one thing came into being except through him. 4 What has come
into being in him was life, life that was the light of men; 5 and light shines
in darkness, and darkness could not overpower it. 6 A man came, sent by God.
His name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness to the light, so
that everyone might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, he was to bear
witness to the light. 9 The Word was the real light that gives light to everyone;
he was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world that had come into being
through him, and the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to his own and his
own people did not accept him. 12 But to those who did accept him he gave power
to become children of God, to those who believed in his name 13 who were born
not from human stock or human desire or human will but from God himself. 14 The
Word became flesh, he lived among us, and we saw his glory, the glory that he
has from the Father as only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John
witnesses to him. He proclaims: 'This is the one of whom I said: He who comes
after me has passed ahead of me because he existed before me.' 16 Indeed, from
his fullness we have, all of us, received -- one gift replacing another, 17 for
the Law was given through Moses, grace and truth have come through Jesus
Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; it is the only Son, who is close to the
Father's heart, who has made him known.
b) A moment of silence:
Allow the voice of the Word echo within us.
3. MEDITATION
a) Some question for reflection:
- God who is light has chosen to dispel the darkness of man by
making himself darkness. Man is born blind (cfr Jn 9:1-41): blindness is his
condition of creature. The symbolical gesture of Jesus in gathering mud to
spread over the eyes of the man born blind in John, signifies the newness of
the incarnation: it is a gesture of new creation. The blind man whose eyes are
still covered with the mud of creation is asked to make not an act of faith but
one of obedience: to go to the pool of Siloe, which means “sent”. The one
“sent” is Jesus. Are we able to obey the Word, which comes to us every
day?
- The blind man in the Gospel of John is poor: he has no
pretence and asks for nothing. We often live in daily blindness, resigned that
we do not deserve better horizons. Can we see ourselves as having
nothing so that the gift of God may be ours too, a gift of the redemption of
the flesh, but above all a gift of light and faith?
- «The law was given through Moses, grace and truth have come
through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; it is the only Son, who is
close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known» (Jn
1:17-18). The knowledge of what happens in the story of our lives leads us to
get out of the blindness of presumption and to contemplate the light that
shines on the face of the Son of God. Our eyes, flooded with light,
become open to events. When shall we be able to see God in our midst?
b) A key to the reading:
John was someone who was able to see the light shining, who saw,
heard and touched the light. In the beginning was the Word: constantly turned
towards the love of the Father, the Word became the Father’s true explanation,
his only exegesis (Jn 1:18), the revelation of his love. In the logos was life
and life was light, but the darkness did not welcome the light. In the OT the
revelation of the Word is the revelation of light: to this corresponds the
fullness of grace, the grace of grace, given to us in Jesus, the revelation of
God’s unlimited love (Jn 1:4-5, 16). The whole witness of the OT is a witness
of light: from Abraham to John the Baptist, God sends witnesses to his light.
John the Baptist is the last of these: he announces the light that is to come
into the world and recognizes in Jesus the long awaited light (Jn 1:6-8;15).
Dabar IHWH is God’s communication with man, which
took place with all those whom God has called and to whom the word of the Lord
came (cfr Is 55: 10-11). As Augustine says: The Word of God is the true
light.
The word comes from the mouth of God, but it keeps its full
force, and it is a person who creates and sustains the world. This word that
creates and saves is identified with the Torah, which for Israel is the divine
revelation in its totality, with Wisdom: The law will go out
from Zion, and the oracle of Yahweh from Jerusalem (Is 2:3).
The memra (aramaic) is the concept used by John
to go from the dabar to the logos: in the targum
the memra has a creating function, but above all a revealing
function that is expressed particularly through the image of light. In the
Targum Neophiti, the famous poem of the four nights on Ex 12:42 it is written: «The
first night was when IHWH revealed himself above the world to create it: the
world was desert and empty and darkness covered the face of the abyss. And the
memra of IHWH was the light that shone». In the Targum Jerushalaim
manuscript 110 says: «With his word IHWH shone and shed light».
The midrash stresses that the law was before the world, it was
life, it was light: «The words of the Torah are light for the
world» (Midrash Dt Rabba 7.3). Only daughter of God, the Torah was
written with black fire in the white flame and sits on God’s knees while God
sits on his throne of glory (cfr Midrash on Psalm 90:3).
The logos-light becomes present in the world. All is life in
him: the Word takes the place of the Torah. The signs are transcendent, and
more than a substitution we see a fulfilment. If for the Jew the Torah is God’s
daughter, John shows that she is the logos that from the beginning is with God,
is God. This logos becomes flesh: man, frail, limited, finite, placing his
glory in the flesh. He put down his tent, skené, among us, he
became the shekinah of God among us, and he showed his glory,
the overwhelming presence of God to men. The glory that dwelt in the tent of
the exodus (Ex 40:34-38), that dwelt in the temple (1 Kings 8: 10), now
dwells in the flesh of the Son of God. This is indeed an epiphany. The shekinah is
made visible, because the shekinah is Christ, place of the
presence and of the divine glory. There is one who has seen the glory of God:
the only Son full of grace and truth; he comes to reveal to us the face of the
Father, the only one who can do this because he has his existence in the bosom
of the Father. From this fullness of life comes the new creation. Moses gave
the law. Christ gives grace and truth, love and fidelity. In the Son we can
contemplate God without dying because whoever sees the Son sees also the
Father: Jesus is the exegesis, the narration of the divine life.
And the place of revelation is his flesh. This is why John says
at the time of fulfilment: “We have seen his glory” (Jn 1: 14),
when at the “time of glorification” there is only darkness. The light is hidden
when it gives its life for love of men, love to the very end, without
restriction, respecting the freedom of man to crucify the Author of life. God
is glorified at the moment of the passion: a love completed, definitive,
unlimited, a love shown even to its extremist consequences. This is the mystery
of the light that becomes a way in the darkness, because love likes the
darkness of the night when life becomes more intimate and one’s words die to
live in the breath of the words of the person loved, the light is in the love
that gives light to that hour of expropriation, the hour when one loses oneself
to find oneself again in the embrace of life.
4. PRAYER
Jerusalem, take off your dress of sorrow and distress,
put on the beauty of God's glory for evermore,
wrap the cloak of God's saving justice around you,
put the diadem of the Eternal One's glory on your head,
for God means to show your splendor
to every nation under heaven,
and the name God gives you for evermore will be,
'Peace-through-Justice, and Glory-through-Devotion'.
Arise, Jerusalem,
stand on the heights and turn your eyes to the east:
see your children reassembled from west
and east at the Holy One's command,
rejoicing because God has remembered.
Though they left you on foot driven by enemies,
now God brings them back to you,
carried gloriously, like a royal throne.
For God has decreed the flattening of each high mountain,
of the everlasting hills,
the filling of the valleys to make the ground level
so that Israel can walk safely in God's glory.
And the forests and every fragrant tree will provide shade for Israel,
at God's command;
for God will guide Israel in joy by the light of his glory,
with the mercy and saving justice which come from him.
Baruc 5:1-9
put on the beauty of God's glory for evermore,
wrap the cloak of God's saving justice around you,
put the diadem of the Eternal One's glory on your head,
for God means to show your splendor
to every nation under heaven,
and the name God gives you for evermore will be,
'Peace-through-Justice, and Glory-through-Devotion'.
Arise, Jerusalem,
stand on the heights and turn your eyes to the east:
see your children reassembled from west
and east at the Holy One's command,
rejoicing because God has remembered.
Though they left you on foot driven by enemies,
now God brings them back to you,
carried gloriously, like a royal throne.
For God has decreed the flattening of each high mountain,
of the everlasting hills,
the filling of the valleys to make the ground level
so that Israel can walk safely in God's glory.
And the forests and every fragrant tree will provide shade for Israel,
at God's command;
for God will guide Israel in joy by the light of his glory,
with the mercy and saving justice which come from him.
Baruc 5:1-9
5. CONTEMPLATION
Father of light, I come to you with my whole being. After going
through times of goodness and times of slipping into evil I finally understand,
because of my experience, that alone I only exist in shadow and darkness.
Without your light I cannot see anything. Indeed, you are the source of life;
you, Sun of justice, who opens my eyes, you the way that leads to the Father.
Today you have come among us, eternal Word, as light that goes on crossing the
pages of history to offer humankind the gifts of grace and joy in the desert of
famine and emptiness: the bread and wine of your holy Name, which at the hour
of the cross will become visible signs of consummated love, give us birth with
you from that fertile side that is the Church, the cradle of your life for
us. Like Mary, we wish to stay by your side to learn to be like her, full
of grace from the Most High. And when our tents will welcome the cloud of the
Spirit in the radiance of one more word, we shall understand the Glory of your
Face and we shall bless in an adoring silence without any further hesitation
the Beauty of being one with you, living Word of God.
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