The Invitation to Come and See

The Gospel account from Luke of the birth of Jesus in the Roman Catholic Lectionary is proclaimed at midnight Mass. The shepherds are informed by the angels that the child they will see is the Messiah, the Anointed of God. This Presence is the king for whom Isaiah expresses great longing in the text from this Prophet of the time of kings of Israel who ruled in ways which threatened the survival of the relationship between God and the people He had chosen to be light to the nations. Friar Jude Winkler comments that a series of kings had failed to be the Prince of Peace who Isaiah understands will be anointed through Divine intervention in the life of the people of Israel. The Messiah, Jesus, brings the necessity of a response to people. Friar Jude says indifference is not an option.  An excerptfrom the first episode of CATHOLICISM, the magnificent video series hosted by Fr Robert Barron, puts the question of Jesus nature up front in the language of our time. Vicar and Alpha Course pioneer Nicky Gumbel explores the question, 'Who is Jesus?’ as the first step in the widely attended course aimed at those who are inquiring about being Christian. The passage from Titus is the concise question from the time of the early Church. The decision to recognize God is praised by the psalmist who captures the state of awe which Luke tells overwhelmed the shepherds to whom the angels brought the message of the Prince of Peace. Friar Jude identifies quite a few historical difficulties in the passage from Luke concerning the census of the tribes of Israel that brings the Holy Family to Bethlehem. Scholars of this Gospel marvel at the detailed construction of words using by Luke to make strong images and reverse our expectations about God. The sharp contrast between the temporal power of the Emperor who can require movement of tribes and the non threatening picture of the new born lying in accommodations intended for animals and being heralded by the outcasts of society, the shepherds who live in the open with unclean animals. These are the “the poor ones of Yahweh” for whom the Messiah brings Life. The blindness of the wealthy, powerful, self sufficient and proud does not allow them to see or be brought to silent awe at the Presence they encounter. The “journey to Life” in Luke is begun with the need of the Holy and very unusual family of Joseph, Mary and baby to travel to the city of David to announce the Messiah to the poor in Spirit. There is much more in this account than the Christmas Card images that remain so much at the surface of embracing Incarnation.