The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to ponder how the promise made to our spiritual ancestors is lived today as we prepare for Christmas.
In the reading from the Second Book of Samuel, the Oracle of Nathan declares God’s Covenant with David.
* [7:8–16] The message Nathan delivers to David, called the Dynastic Oracle, is prompted by David’s intention to build a house (i.e., a temple) for the Lord, like David’s own house (i.e., palace) of cedar. David is told, in effect, not to bother building a house for the Lord; rather, the Lord will make a house for him—a dynasty, the House of David. Not only will he have descendants (v. 12) who will sit upon the throne of Israel (v. 13), their rule will last forever (vv. 13, 16); and even if they transgress the Lord’s commands, the line of David will never be removed from kingship as Saul was (cf. 1 Sm 13; 15). The oracle establishes the Davidic king as standing in relationship to the Lord as a son to a father (v. 14; cf. Ps 2:7; 89:27). The Dynastic Oracle, with cognate texts in the Scriptures, is the basis for Jewish expectations of an anointed king (1 Sm 12:3, 5), son of David (Mt 21:9); cf. Acts 2:30; Heb 1:5. (2 Samuel, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 89 praises God’s Covenant with David.
* [Psalm 89] The community laments the defeat of the Davidic king, to whom God promised kingship as enduring as the heavens (Ps 89:2–5). The Psalm narrates how God became king of the divine beings (Ps 89:6–9) and how the Davidic king became king of earthly kings (Ps 89:20–38). Since the defeat of the king calls into question God’s promise, the community ardently prays God to be faithful to the original promise to David (Ps 89:39–52).
* [89:3–5] David’s dynasty is to be as long-lasting as the heavens, a statement reinforced by using the same verbs (establish, stand) both of the divine love and loyalty and of the Davidic dynasty and throne, cf. Ps 89:29–30. (Psalm 89, n.d.)
The Gospel of Luke proclaims Zechariah’s Prophecy.
* [1:68–79] Like the canticle of Mary (Lk 1:46–55) the canticle of Zechariah is only loosely connected with its context. Apart from Lk 1:76–77, the hymn in speaking of a horn for our salvation (Lk 1:69) and the daybreak from on high (Lk 1:78) applies more closely to Jesus and his work than to John. Again like Mary’s canticle, it is largely composed of phrases taken from the Greek Old Testament and may have been a Jewish Christian hymn of praise that Luke adapted to fit the present context by inserting Lk 1:76–77 to give Zechariah’s reply to the question asked in Lk 1:66.
* [1:69] A horn for our salvation: the horn is a common Old Testament figure for strength (Ps 18:3; 75:5–6; 89:18; 112:9; 148:14). This description is applied to God in Ps 18:3 and is here transferred to Jesus. The connection of the phrase with the house of David gives the title messianic overtones and may indicate an allusion to a phrase in Hannah’s song of praise (1 Sm 2:10), “the horn of his anointed.”
* [1:76] You will go before the Lord: here the Lord is most likely a reference to Jesus (contrast Lk 1:15–17 where Yahweh is meant) and John is presented as the precursor of Jesus.
* [1:78] The daybreak from on high: three times in the LXX (Jer 23:5; Zec 3:8; 6:12), the Greek word used here for daybreak translates the Hebrew word for “scion, branch,” an Old Testament messianic title. (Luke, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)
Carol Zuegner comments that in the Gospel of Luke, as in the earlier reading, the promises made are recalled, and the story retold of what has come before.
My prayer for today as I wait and anticipate what these words have foretold is in the last words of the Gospel: “In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in the darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.” I pray for light and peace (Zuegner, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “My words will not pass away,” by an anonymous early author from the Greek church
"'O forerunner of Christ!... O Baptist inspired by God! We glorify Christ who bowed his head before you in the Jordan and sanctified the nature of mortal humankind... O wise John the forerunner, you have looked down from the bank of the river upon the glory of the Father's Word, even the Son as he stood in the waters; and you have seen the Spirit descend as a dove, cleansing and enlightening the ends of the earth. To you the mystery of the Trinity was revealed; and to you we sing, honoring your divine festival.
"O Baptist and forerunner, strengthened by the divine grace of Christ you have shown us the lamb that takes away all the sins of the world (John 1:29,35-36), and with joy you have this day brought two disciples to him (John 1:35-42). Entreat him that peace and great mercy may be given to our souls." (excerpt from SYNAXIS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 1:67-79 comments that both Zechariah and Scrooge experienced a “dawn from on high” breaking upon them and giving them a fresh start and a new beginning (Luke 1:78).
So turn to the Lord with a sense of hope and expectation. It’s never too late for miracles to happen. Just ask Ebenezer Scrooge—or Zechariah! Let the magnitude of Jesus’ birth make you bold and confident enough to ask the Lord for your own miracle. It may be for healing for you or someone you love. It may be for the grace to overcome some persistent problem. Don’t be shy; ask for something you think is impossible. God won’t mind. He loves seeing his children reach out to him in faith.
The Messiah is coming, and nothing will ever be the same!
“Jesus, thank you for coming to live among us. Your birth means that my life cannot and must not stay the same!” (Meditation on Luke 1:67-79, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler asks if David is “Doing a favour for God?” as he suggests building for God, a Temple. The Dynastic Oracle is proclaimed by Nathan ending the charismatic choice of leaders of Israel. Friar Jude reminds us that the Canticle of Zechariah, written as a literary chiasmus, underlines that God has remembered His Holy Covenant.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces author Cole Arthur Riley who reflects on how the incarnation of Jesus in Mary invites us to radically embrace our own embodiment. Riley offers this Advent prayer, reminding us to honor experiences of our own helplessness.
It is not lost on us that you submitted to the body of a woman, trusting in it to protect and grow you. As we remember the nine months you dwelt in the womb, the body of God being nurtured and carried, remind us that our own bodies are worthy of such care and tenderness. May this be a season of sacred pause, as we allow time to be near to our own bodies, to protect and strengthen them. In a world that demands so much of us, remind us that Christ did not come to us in physical independence, allowing the world to take and use him without limitation. Show us the face of the Christ who was gravely dependent, who needed to be held, fed, washed. Who needed to be soothed and rocked to sleep. If we are to honor the divine in us, may it be this divinity—fully embodied, fully dignified in the body. Amen. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)
As we prepare to begin our celebration of the Nativity of the Lord, we contemplate the promise of fullness of life that we are anointed to proclaim as fulfillment of ancient prophecy.
References
Luke, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 24, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1?67
Meditation on Luke 1:67-79. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved December 24, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/12/24/1157889/
Psalm 89. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 24, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/89?2
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Honoring Jesus’ Embodiment and Our Own. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 24, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/honoring-jesus-embodiment-and-our-own/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Nothing Is Impossible with God. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 24, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=dec24
2 Samuel, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 24, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2samuel/7?1
Zuegner, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved December 24, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/122424.html
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