The Word Became Flesh

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary for the Mass on Christmas Day invite us to rejoice in the implications of the Word Made Flesh.

Word Made Flesh

The Prophet Isaiah declares Let Zion Rejoice

a. [52:7] Is 40:9; Rom 10:15.

b. [52:8] Is 62:6. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 52 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalms 98 praises the Judge of the World

* [Psalm 98] A hymn, similar to Ps 96, extolling God for Israel’s victory (Ps 98:1–3). All nations (Ps 98:4–6) and even inanimate nature (Ps 98:7–8) are summoned to welcome God’s coming to rule over the world (Ps 98:9). (Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Letter to the Hebrews proclaims God Has Spoken by His Son

* [1:1–4] The letter opens with an introduction consisting of a reflection on the climax of God’s revelation to the human race in his Son. The divine communication was initiated and maintained during Old Testament times in fragmentary and varied ways through the prophets (Heb 1:1), including Abraham, Moses, and all through whom God spoke. But now in these last days (Heb 1:2) the final age, God’s revelation of his saving purpose is achieved through a son, i.e., one who is Son, whose role is redeemer and mediator of creation. He was made heir of all things through his death and exaltation to glory, yet he existed before he appeared as man; through him God created the universe. Heb 1:3–4, which may be based upon a liturgical hymn, assimilate the Son to the personified Wisdom of the Old Testament as refulgence of God’s glory and imprint of his being (Heb 1:3; cf. Wis 7:26). These same terms are used of the Logos in Philo. (Hebrews, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Prologue to the Gospel of John declares The Word Became Flesh.

* [1:1–18] The prologue states the main themes of the gospel: life, light, truth, the world, testimony, and the preexistence of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Logos, who reveals God the Father. In origin, it was probably an early Christian hymn. Its closest parallel is in other christological hymns, Col 1:15–20 and Phil 2:6–11. Its core (Jn 1:1–5, 10–11, 14) is poetic in structure, with short phrases linked by “staircase parallelism,” in which the last word of one phrase becomes the first word of the next. Prose inserts (at least Jn 1:6–8, 15) deal with John the Baptist. (John, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Cynthia Schmersal praises the Infinite One, who came as an infant.

Don Schwager quotes The Word Became Flesh and Dwelt among Us.

The Word Among Us shares a Meditation on John 1:1-18.

Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the texts for Christmas.

Richard Rohr urges Christians to move beyond sentimentality to a mature understanding of the implications of the incarnation.

We celebrate the Nativity and ponder the consequences in our life of the Word Made Flesh .

References

Hebrews, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 25, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/1?1 

Isaiah, CHAPTER 52 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 25, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/52 

John, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 25, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/1?1 

Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 25, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98?1 

Living Beyond Christmas

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate the transition we are being called to accept in our lives as we prepare to return to Nazareth after the Christmas season.

Prepare for After Christmas

The reading from the First Letter of John alerts members of the Community to the dangers of the World and Desire.

* [2:16] Sensual lust: literally, “the lust of the flesh,” inordinate desire for physical gratification. Enticement for the eyes: literally, “the lust of the eyes,” avarice or covetousness; the eyes are regarded as the windows of the soul. Pretentious life: literally, “pride of life,” arrogance or ostentation in one’s earthly style of life that reflects a willful independence from God and others.1

 

Psalm 96 praises God Who comes in Judgement.

* [Psalm 96] A hymn inviting all humanity to praise the glories of Israel’s God (Ps 96:1–3), who is the sole God (Ps 96:4–6). To the just ruler of all belongs worship (Ps 96:7–10); even inanimate creation is to offer praise (Ps 96:11–13). This Psalm has numerous verbal and thematic contacts with Is 40–55, as does Ps 98. Another version of the Psalm is 1 Chr 16:23–33.2

 

In the Gospel of Luke, Anna encounters Jesus before His return to Nazareth.

* [2:22–40] The presentation of Jesus in the temple depicts the parents of Jesus as devout Jews, faithful observers of the law of the Lord (Lk 2:23–24, 39), i.e., the law of Moses. In this respect, they are described in a fashion similar to the parents of John (Lk 1:6) and Simeon (Lk 2:25) and Anna (Lk 2:36–37).3 

Tamora Whitney comments we have just come from Christmas, where the focus should be on the birth of Jesus, but the focus more and more seems to be on the worldly aspects of gifts.

Our Christmas focus should be on the birth of Jesus. We should be like those in First John, focused on Jesus from the beginning, following him from the start, and more focused on eternity. We should be more focused on what’s in the manger than on what’s under the tree. We should be like Anna with our whole focus on Jesus, the baby born last week, and the one who will redeem us. Our greatest Christmas gift is the gift of God. Our greatest hope for the new year is redemption.4

 

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus, though rich, became poor for us,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.

"Anna, who, by reason of her years of widowhood and her virtues, is set before us as wholly worthy of belief, announces that the Redeemer of all people has come... Not without purpose, however, does he make mention of the eighty-four years of her widowhood, because both the seven twelves and the two forties seemed to imply a number that is sacred."(excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 2.62)5

 

The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 John 2:12-17 comments that this letter is a sort of sermon to the earliest Christians about what life “after Christ” should look like.

John reminds us that if we want to love the world less and love God more each day, our hearts need to change. It can be hard to let go of selfish ways of thinking and acting. It can be hard to change behaviors that reflect the values of the world. But God always gives us the grace to step into his light. He always gives us the grace to begin to make small but concrete acts of love for him and his people.6

 

Friar Jude Winkler notes that age in the passage from 1 John may be a measure of experience in the faith. The world is that experience we have of concupiscence as understood by Augustine. Friar Jude notes that Luke’s emphasis on Jerusalem may explain his difference from Matthew in the story of the Holy Family.

 

Brian McLaren is convinced that something beautiful lies “unveiled” on the other side of complexity and perplexity. He writes about the harmony that arises after struggling with and accepting doubt as a part of our faith journey. The good news is that this spirituality is available to everyone, like wind, rain, and sun, because it is the presence of grace and the creative current of the Holy Spirit that flows like a song through all of creation. It is here. Available. At hand. Within reach. Right now. If those of us who have found this treasure in our religious traditions can begin to sing it, speak it, pray it, celebrate it, and live it out loud, perhaps together we can lean into Harmony as a civilization. Perhaps we can sing the song of Harmony in genuine harmony as a multi-faith visionary choir.

Right now, much work waits to be done. In politics, we’ve been studying war for centuries. We must now study how to create the conditions for deep and lasting peace. In many sectors of religion, we’ve been obsessed for centuries with escaping this day-to-day life on earth for an afterlife in heaven (or an experience of personal bliss). We must now cherish life on earth and engage with it by focusing our best energies on learning to love neighbor, self, earth, and God, who is Love. In education, for centuries we’ve been focused on basic morality, technology, and critical thinking. Now we must learn how to teach our children not just to know right from wrong, and not just to be able to make a living, and not just to be able to think critically, but also to live well with ourselves, one another, and the earth, discovering and cherishing the “sound of the genuine” in all things.7 

We seek the Holy Spirit to maintain our sharing of the Peace of Christmas with the people we encounter as we prepare to begin a New Year.

 

References

 

1	(n.d.). 1 John, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. Retrieved December 30, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/2
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 96 | USCCB. Retrieved December 30, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/96
3	(n.d.). Luke, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. Retrieved December 30, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/2
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online Ministries. Retrieved December 30, 2021, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/123021.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 30, 2021, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2021&date=dec30
6	(n.d.). Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Meditations for December 30, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2021, from https://wau.org/meditations/2021/12/30/278862/
7	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive: 2021 - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 30, 2021, from https://cac.org/leaning-into-harmony-2021-12-30/

Bridging Old and New Covenant

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to reflect on the Promise, so important in the Hebrew Covenant, that the mercy of God, as declared by John the Baptist, becomes the Word made flesh celebrated at Christmas.

 

Sharing the mission of mercy

The reading from the Prophet Malachi declares the Coming Messenger.

* [3:23] Elijah: taken up in a whirlwind, according to 2 Kgs 2:11. Here his return seems to be foretold. A Jewish tradition interpreted this literally; the gospels saw Elijah in the person of John the Baptist (Mt 11:13–14; 17:10–13; Mk 9:9–13).1

 

Psalm 25 is a prayer for Guidance and for Deliverance.

* [Psalm 25] A lament. Each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Such acrostic Psalms are often a series of statements only loosely connected. The psalmist mixes ardent pleas (Ps 25:1–2, 16–22) with expressions of confidence in God who forgives and guides.2

 

In the Gospel of Luke, the Birth of John the Baptist is described.

* [1:57–66] The birth and circumcision of John above all emphasize John’s incorporation into the people of Israel by the sign of the covenant (Gn 17:1–12). The narrative of John’s circumcision also prepares the way for the subsequent description of the circumcision of Jesus in Lk 2:21. At the beginning of his two-volume work Luke shows those who play crucial roles in the inauguration of Christianity to be wholly a part of the people of Israel. At the end of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 21:20; 22:3; 23:6–9; 24:14–16; 26:2–8, 22–23) he will argue that Christianity is the direct descendant of Pharisaic Judaism.3 

Carol Zuegner comments that suddenly, there will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek.” Suddenly, which to her means maybe not when she expects the Lord or when she is fully prepared. God knows we are human and frail and will stray from what we know we should be doing. He sends prophets as reminders, to tell us to be ready.

We have to remember to trust in God and to be ready whenever God calls upon us. Perhaps it won’t be what we expect. We need to prepare, to be ready. We can do that by opening our hearts to God, to be ready for life’s joys and sorrows. We know God will be with us. We have to learn to trust that God’s will might be revealed in unexpected ways. The path might not be straight. It might not be easy, but the path is there for us, waiting.4

 

Don Schwager quotes “The parallels between John and Jesus,” by Ephrem the Syrian (306-373 AD).

"The elderly Elizabeth gave birth to the last of the prophets, and Mary, a young girl, to the Lord of the angels. The daughter of Aaron gave birth to the voice in the desert (Isaiah 63:9), but the daughter of David to the strong God of the earth. The barren one gave birth to him who remits sins, but the Virgin gave birth to him who takes them away (John 1:29). Elizabeth gave birth to him who reconciled people through repentance, but Mary gave birth to him who purified the lands of uncleanness. The elder one lit a lamp in the house of Jacob, his father, for this lamp itself was John (John 5:35), while the younger one lit the Sun of Justice (Malachi 4:2) for all the nations. The angel announced to Zechariah, so that the slain one would proclaim the crucified one and that the hated one would proclaim the envied one. He who was to baptize with water would proclaim him who would baptize with fire and with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11). The light, which was not obscure, would proclaim the Sun of Justice. The one filled with the Spirit would proclaim concerning him who gives the Spirit. The priest calling with the trumpet would proclaim concerning the one who is to come at the sound of the trumpet at the end. The voice would proclaim concerning the Word, and the one who saw the dove would proclaim concerning him upon whom the dove rested, like the lightning before the thunder." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON TATIAN'S DIATESSARON 1.31)5

 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 1:57-66 asks what can we learn from Elizabeth’s example? That when God makes clear the path he wants us to take, we should take it—even if it makes the people around us uncomfortable or we face pressure to go along with their expectations.

God has a good and unique plan for each one of us. Even when his plan unfolds in unexpected ways, as it did for Elizabeth, we can trust that it is always a good one (Jeremiah 29:11). Elizabeth never could have predicted the adventure her life would turn out to be. She probably didn’t even live to see all the fruits of her obedience. But she rejoiced in God’s goodness to her, and she remained faithful to his commands. That’s all that mattered to her. God is writing a story for your life too, and every bold response you offer him allows him to work it out more fully. “Jesus, help me to follow you even when others don’t understand.”6 

Friar Jude Winkler explains the connection of Elijah to heaven and his role in announcing the Presence of the Lord. The tradition of Israel is observed in the circumcision of Zachariah's son but not in his naming. Friar Jude notes that the mission of the Baptist is carried in his name, “God is merciful.”

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, counts the German Jesuit Karl Rahner (1904–1984) as an influential theologian in his life. Here Rahner reflects on the Incarnation and the meaning of Christmas.

Now God’s self [as Jesus] is on our very earth, where he is no better off than we and where he receives no special privileges, but our every fate: hunger, weariness, enmity, mortal terror and a wretched death. That the infinity of God should take upon itself human narrowness, that bliss should accept the mortal sorrow of the earth, that life should take on death—this is the most unlikely truth. But only this—the obscure light of faith—makes our nights bright, only this makes them holy.7

 

Father Richard celebrates the Incarnation as God’s positive and affirming “I Love You” to all creation.

Henceforth humanity has the right to know that it is good to be human, good to live on this earth, good to have a body, because God in Jesus chose and said “yes” to this planet and this humanity. As we Franciscans have said, “Incarnation is already Redemption.” The problem is solved. Now go and utterly enjoy all remaining days. Not only is it “always Advent,” but every day can now be Christmas because the one we thought we were just waiting for has come once and for all.7 

Our baptismal consecration as “priest, prophet, and king” calls us to share our journey toward the truth and beauty of relationship with God.

 

References

1	(n.d.). Malachi, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. Retrieved December 23, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/malachi/3
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 25 | USCCB - Daily Readings. Retrieved December 23, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/25
3	(n.d.). Luke, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB - Daily Readings. Retrieved December 23, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online Ministries. Retrieved December 23, 2021, fromhttps://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/122321.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 23, 2021, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2021&date=dec23
6	(n.d.). Daily Meditation: Luke 1:57-66 - The Word Among Us. Retrieved December 23, 2021, from https://wau.org/meditations/2021/12/23/272709/
7	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive: 2021 - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 23, 2021, from https://cac.org/a-sign-of-gods-love-2021-12-23/