The days before Christmas are often the
time where we get together with work colleagues and friends with whom we
associate and share time together. This is an opportunity to reflect on the joy
which others bring to our lives. The texts today from the Hebrew testament are
descriptions of the joy we experience in the presence of God and those we love.
The Roman Catholic Lectionary today offers two choices for the first reading.
The Prophet Zephaniah, a contemporary of Jeremiah, looks to the time beyond the
struggles of his time with pagan influence and the oppression of Israel to the
return of the Presence of God to Jerusalem as a joyful and peaceful event for
all peoples. The passage today from the Gospel of Luke tells of the visit of
Mary to her cousin Elizabeth, an elderly lady pregnant with John who would baptize
and call the people of Israel to prepare for the arrival of the Anointed Who
will bring the joy of life in the truth that “God Saves”. Friar Jude Winkler notes
that Luke brings Mary on a journey to the area near Jerusalem where the Ark of
the Covenant rested prior to King David bringing it to Jerusalem. The joy we
celebrate is the Presence of God. This Presence was recognized by Israel in the
Ark of the Covenant. The Presence in Mary of the Anointed is recognized by the
unborn John. Mary is the Ark of the Covenant as she carries Jesus. Christians
are called to continue to make Jesus visible in the world. We have the Presence
of Joy which we can bring to others and be the spark of recognition which
others detect and give thanks to God for the experience.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment