The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to adopt an attitude of vulnerability that allows the Spirit to overcome difficult emotions and reveal our path in accord with the Will of God.
Finding our Way
The reading from the Prophet Isaiah describes the Sign of Immanuel to Ahaz.
* [7:14] Isaiah’s sign seeks to reassure Ahaz that he need not fear the invading armies of Syria and Israel in the light of God’s promise to David (2 Sm 7:12–16). The oracle follows a traditional announcement formula by which the birth and sometimes naming of a child is promised to particular individuals (Gn 16:11; Jgs 13:3). The young woman: Hebrew ‘almah designates a young woman of marriageable age without specific reference to virginity. The Septuagint translated the Hebrew term as parthenos, which normally does mean virgin, and this translation underlies Mt 1:23. Emmanuel: the name means “with us is God.” Since for the Christian the incarnation is the ultimate expression of God’s willingness to “be with us,” it is understandable that this text was interpreted to refer to the birth of Christ.1
Psalm 24 celebrates entrance into the Temple.
* [Psalm 24] The Psalm apparently accompanied a ceremony of the entry of God (invisibly enthroned upon the ark), followed by the people, into the Temple. The Temple commemorated the creation of the world (Ps 24:1–2). The people had to affirm their fidelity before being admitted into the sanctuary (Ps 24:3–6; cf. Ps 15). A choir identifies the approaching God and invites the very Temple gates to bow down in obeisance (Ps 24:7–10).2
In the Gospel of Luke, the Birth of Jesus is foretold.
* [1:26–38] The announcement to Mary of the birth of Jesus is parallel to the announcement to Zechariah of the birth of John. In both the angel Gabriel appears to the parent who is troubled by the vision (Lk 1:11–12, 26–29) and then told by the angel not to fear (Lk 1:13, 30). After the announcement is made (Lk 1:14–17, 31–33) the parent objects (Lk 1:18, 34) and a sign is given to confirm the announcement (Lk 1:20, 36). The particular focus of the announcement of the birth of Jesus is on his identity as Son of David (Lk 1:32–33) and Son of God (Lk 1:32, 35).3
Angela Maynard’s Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries was not available this morning.
The Sacred Space ministry of the Irish Jesuits comments that for Mary the angel’s message is a blessing; but very much a blessing in disguise. It is placing her in a very difficult position, socially, culturally, religiously, personally. She has to trust this interior movement in her heart and ‘go with it’. And she does.
In our lives too there are turning points where we may experience an invitation to embrace something difficult rather than discard it. Something which wrecks our dream for ourselves or for our loved ones. There’s a need to discern the spirits. Is there release from something into another way of being: more open, more generous, more humble, deeper service of Christ Jesus. If it is disconcerting that does not mean that it is bad. What response would your better self give?4
Don Schwager quotes “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)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 1:26-38 comments that we too are going to have mixed feelings when God presents a path for us that is different from the one we expected. Having to move across the country and leave family behind. An unexpected pregnancy. A child who rejects the faith. God understands that these situations may make us fearful, angry, or disappointed. He knows that human feelings are not sinful in and of themselves, and so he gives us space to work through them. He also promises to be with us and help us so that we don’t allow our emotions to get out of hand and lead us down a sinful path.
Emotions are temporary, but God is eternal. He is always with you, even when you face life’s unexpected twists and turns. So try your best to stay close to him as well. Seek out his grace when the unexpected happens. You may not see blessings right away, and they may not all come to pass in your lifetime. But like Mary, you can always trust that God knows the right path for you, and he will help you follow it. “Lord, I want to be your servant. In every challenge I face, ‘May it be done to me according to your word’ (Luke 1:38).”6
Friar Jude Winkler unpacks the story of Ahaz and the decision of Isaiah to name his child Emmanuel. The Greek perfect tense in the address of Gabriel to Mary indicates she was always “Full of Grace” and that continues into the future. Friar Jude reminds us that vulnerability is the attitude that surrounds the “yes” of Mary.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, reminds us of the startling realities of the first Christmas and asks where is this God revealing God’s self? Dorothy Day (1897–1980), founder of the Catholic Worker, writes:
It would be foolish to pretend that it is always easy to remember [that Christ is present in the ordinary stranger]. . . . If Mary had appeared in Bethlehem clothed, as St. John says, with the sun, a crown of twelve stars on her head, and the moon under her feet [Revelation 12:1], then people would have fought to make room for her. But that was not God’s way for her, nor is it Christ’s way for Himself, now when He is disguised under every type of humanity that treads the earth. [1]7
The “yes” of Mary is the example of the openness we seek to allow the Good News of Christ to motivate our actions and overcome our emotions of fear and self preservation.
References
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