Revelation and Rejoicing

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to rejoice as Christ is revealed to the world and we seek our role in His work of transformation.

Time of Transformation

The reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah proclaims the Ingathering of the Dispersed

* [60:1–9] The light the prophet proclaims to Zion symbolizes the blessing to come to her: the glory of the Lord, the return of her children, the wealth of nations who themselves will walk by her light. The passage is famous from its use in the Latin liturgy for the feast of Epiphany. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 60, n.d.)

Psalm 72 is a prayer for Guidance and Support for the King.

* [Psalm 72] A royal Psalm in which the Israelite king, as the representative of God, is the instrument of divine justice (Ps 72:1–4, 12–14) and blessing (Ps 72:5–7, 15–17) for the whole world. The king is human, giving only what he has received from God. Hence intercession must be made for him. The extravagant language is typical of oriental royal courts. (Psalms, PSALM 72 | USCCB, n.d.)

The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Ephesians is his Commission to Preach God’s Plan.

* [3:2] Stewardship: the Greek is the same term employed at Eph 1:10 for the plan that God administers (Col 1:25) and in which Paul plays a key role.

* [3:3–4] The mystery: God’s resolve to deliver Gentiles along with Israel through Christ; cf. notes on Eph 1:10; 3:9. (Ephesians, CHAPTER 3, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew describes the Visit of the Wise Men.

* [2:1–12] The future rejection of Jesus by Israel and his acceptance by the Gentiles are retrojected into this scene of the narrative.

* [2:1] In the days of King Herod: Herod reigned from 37 to 4 B.C. Magi: originally a designation of the Persian priestly caste, the word became used of those who were regarded as having more than human knowledge. Matthew’s magi are astrologers.

* [2:2] We saw his star: it was a common ancient belief that a new star appeared at the time of a ruler’s birth. Matthew also draws upon the Old Testament story of Balaam, who had prophesied that “A star shall advance from Jacob” (Nm 24:17), though there the star means not an astral phenomenon but the king himself.

* [2:4] Herod’s consultation with the chief priests and scribes has some similarity to a Jewish legend about the child Moses in which the “sacred scribes” warn Pharaoh about the imminent birth of one who will deliver Israel from Egypt and the king makes plans to destroy him.

* [2:11] Cf. Ps 72:10, 15; Is 60:6. These Old Testament texts led to the interpretation of the magi as kings. (Matthew, CHAPTER 2, n.d.)

George Butterfield comments that “Brothers and sisters, you and I are that star”.

If we live in the light of Christ, there will be those who follow that light and discover the child. Of course, not all are interested in the light. Darkness can be quite comforting. Some will even be hostile to the light; Herod lives. Who could have imagined that the baby in the manger was the Light of the world? Let us let our light shine; it will lead people to the Light in that manger.

I leave you with the children’s song that we used to sing during Vacation Bible School.

This little light of mine – I’m gonna let it shine.

This little light of mine – I’m gonna let it shine.

This little light of mine – I’m gonna let it shine.

Let it shine all the time, let it shine. (Butterfield, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The glory of Christ's divinity is revealed,” by Chromatius (died 406 AD).

"Let us now observe how glorious was the dignity that attended the King after his birth, after the magi in their journey remained obedient to the star. For immediately the magi fell to their knees and adored the one born as Lord. There in his very cradle they venerated him with offerings of gifts, though Jesus was merely a whimpering infant. They perceived one thing with the eyes of their bodies but another with the eyes of the mind. The lowliness of the body he assumed was discerned, but the glory of his divinity is now made manifest. A boy he is, but it is God who is adored. How inexpressible is the mystery of his divine honor! The invisible and eternal nature did not hesitate to take on the weaknesses of the flesh on our behalf. The Son of God, who is God of the universe, is born a human being in the flesh. He permits himself to be placed in a manger, and the heavens are within the manger. He is kept in a cradle, a cradle that the world cannot hold. He is heard in the voice of a crying infant. This is the same one for whose voice the whole world would tremble in the hour of his passion. Thus he is the One, the God of glory and the Lord of majesty, whom as a tiny infant the magi recognize. It is he who while a child was truly God and King eternal. To him Isaiah pointed, saying, 'For a boy has been born to you; a son has been given to you, a son whose empire has been forged on his shoulders (Isaiah 9:6).'" (excerpt from TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 5:1)

[Note: Chromatius was an early Christian scholar and bishop of Aquileia, Italy. He was a close friend of John Chrysostom and Jerome. He died in 406 AD. Jerome described him as a "most learned and most holy man."] (Schwager, 2021)

The Word Among Us  Meditation on Matthew 2:1-12 comments that Epiphany reveals to us that God’s love is far more expansive than anyone had ever thought. We begin to see that in Christ, a loving relationship with God is open to everyone who comes to him, Jew or Gentile.

That includes you! And your annoying cousin. And the notorious criminal on death row. And the atheist on that YouTube channel. The invitation to come to Jesus extends to everyone. Because God’s loving desire to draw all people to himself cannot be contained; no one is excluded from it. And that’s a life-changing realization!

Today, as you celebrate this great feast, give thanks to God who loves so extravagantly that he opens his arms wide to welcome everyone who believes. Pray, too, that all people will come to the Lord.

“Lord God, your revelation to the Gentiles has changed the course of history! Thank you for your love that reaches out to everyone!” (Meditation on Matthew 2:1-12, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the promise of a restoration in Trito-Isaiah, written after the Babylonian exile when the Israelites returned to Jerusalem. Paul proclaims that the Gentiles are coheirs in the revelation of Christ. Friar Jude comments on the syzygy that attracted Magi astrologers and the interpretation through the Spirit of the gifts they brought to Jesus.

Brian McLaren comments that we have the crises of the planet, poverty, peace; the fourth crisis is religion because all too often our religious communities are remaining on the sidelines. As Thomas Merton said, they’re “guilty bystanders.” He thinks much religion has been selling people an evacuation plan rather than helping them participate in a transformation plan.

It was the same with Thomas Merton. He became a Trappist monk. We might think of Trappists as people who are withdrawn from all the events and affairs of the world. But Merton, who wrote New Seeds of Contemplation, also wrote a book called Seeds of Destruction because he said he wanted a form of engaged contemplative Christian faith.

When Richard Rohr started the CAC, he wanted it to be the Center for Action and Contemplation: engaged contemplation rooted in a Christian tradition. And of course, this just draws from the example of Jesus, who withdrew for a period of contemplative silence at the beginning of his ministry, a period of forty days, the story says. But then of course, he engaged with the struggles and challenges of his people in his time.

Every day Jesus would follow that same rhythm: withdraw for solitude, but then come back to engage by healing, feeding, caring, welcoming, binding up the wounds of this world, and implanting in people a vision of resilience, engaging with a world on fire. (McLaren, 2024)

We rejoice at the revelation of Christ as the Servant/King, who calls us to share His Love with all people of the world.

References

Butterfield, G. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved January 7, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/010624-Epiphany.html 

Ephesians, CHAPTER 3. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 7, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/3?2 

Isaiah, CHAPTER 60. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 7, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/60?1 

Matthew, CHAPTER 2. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 7, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/2?1 

McLaren, B. D. (2024, January 7). Engaging with a World on Fire — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 7, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/engaging-with-a-world-on-fire/ 

Meditation on Matthew 2:1-12. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 7, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/01/07/870639/ 

Psalms, PSALM 72 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 7, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/72?1 

Schwager, D. (2021, September 22). They Fell down and Worshiped Jesus. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved January 7, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jan7 

Blessed in His Name

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today return us to the Christmas Crib and challenge us to live the New Year energized by the blessing we have in relationship with the one named as “Yahweh saves”.

From Blessings to Blessings

The reading from the Book of Numbers is the Priestly Benediction of Aaron.

* [6:26] Peace: the Hebrew word Shalom includes the idea of happiness, good health, prosperity, friendship, and general well-being. To use this term as a greeting was to pray for all these things upon the one greeted. (Numbers, CHAPTER 6, n.d.)

In Psalm 67 the Nations are called to Praise God.

* [Psalm 67] A petition for a bountiful harvest (Ps 67:7), made in the awareness that Israel’s prosperity will persuade the nations to worship its God.

* [67:2] May God be gracious to us: the people’s petition echoes the blessing pronounced upon them by the priests, cf. Nm 6:22–27. (Psalms, PSALM 67, n.d.)

The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Galatians proclaims us an heir, through God.

* [4:1–7] What Paul has argued in Gal 3:26–29 is now elaborated in terms of the Christian as the heir (Gal 4:1, 7; cf. Gal 3:18, 29) freed from control by others. Again, as in Gal 3:2–5, the proof that Christians are children of God is the gift of the Spirit of Christ relating them intimately to God. (Galatians, CHAPTER 4, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is named on the eighth day.

* [2:11] The basic message of the infancy narrative is contained in the angel’s announcement: this child is savior, Messiah, and Lord. Luke is the only synoptic gospel writer to use the title savior for Jesus (Lk 2:11; Acts 5:31; 13:23; see also Lk 1:69; 19:9; Acts 4:12). As savior, Jesus is looked upon by Luke as the one who rescues humanity from sin and delivers humanity from the condition of alienation from God. The title christos, “Christ,” is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew māšîaḥ, “Messiah,” “anointed one.” Among certain groups in first-century Palestinian Judaism, the title was applied to an expected royal leader from the line of David who would restore the kingdom to Israel (see Acts 1:6). The political overtones of the title are played down in Luke and instead the Messiah of the Lord (Lk 2:26) or the Lord’s anointed is the one who now brings salvation to all humanity, Jew and Gentile (Lk 2:29–32). Lord is the most frequently used title for Jesus in Luke and Acts. In the New Testament it is also applied to Yahweh, as it is in the Old Testament. When used of Jesus it points to his transcendence and dominion over humanity. (Luke, CHAPTER 2, n.d.)

Steve Scholer asks that If we are molded in God’s image, should we not strive to emulate God in how we comport ourselves? What a better world it would be if we thought of and treated our family, coworkers, neighbors and even strangers the way God does us.

…If we were to let our faces shine upon those in need and let them know we were there for them, willing to serve and assist them.

…If we were kind and gracious to all and shared our peace with each of them, so they might know that the world is not filled with the wicked people and acts of brutality that dominate our news.

…If we shared the same compassion and forgiveness that God pours down upon us in an unending stream, on those who have wronged us.

This year, in addition to the usual exercise more, lose some weight, learn a new language resolutions, let’s resolve to make one to be more conscious about sharing the infinite blessings we receive from God with everyone we come in contact with.

Happy New Year! (Scholer, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “By Christ's faith, hope, and love we are purified,” by Bede the Venerable, 672-735 A.D.

"He therefore received in the flesh the circumcision decreed by the law, although he appeared in the flesh absolutely without any blemish of pollution. He who came in the likeness of sinful flesh (Romans 8:3) - not in sinful flesh - did not turn away from the remedy by which sinful flesh was ordinarily made clean. Similarly, not because of necessity but for the sake of example, he also submitted to the water of baptism, by which he wanted the people of the new law of grace to be washed from the stain of sins...

"The reason 'the child who was born to us, the son who was given to us ' (Isaiah 9:6), received the name Jesus (that is, 'Savior') does not need explanation in order to be understood by us, but we need eager and vigilant zeal so that we too may be saved by sharing in his name. Indeed, we read how the angel interprets the name of Jesus: 'He will save his people from their sins' (Matthew 1:21). And without a doubt we believe and hope that the one who saves us from sins is not failing to save us also from the corruptions which happen because of sins, and from death itself, as the psalmist testifies when he says, 'Who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases' (Psalm 103:3). Indeed, with the pardoning of all of our iniquities, all our diseases will be completely healed when, with the appearance of the glory of the resurrection, our last enemy, death, will be destroyed... We read that circumcision was done with knives made of rock (Joshua 5:2), and the rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). And by Christ's faith, hope and love the hearts of the good are purified not only in baptism but furthermore in every devout action. This daily circumcision of ours (that is, the continual cleansing of our heart) does not cease from always celebrating the sacrament of the eighth day. (excerpt from HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 1.11) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 2:16-21 comments that it is not always easy to include praise in our daily prayer, especially if we are not accustomed to it. We might not know what to say. We can begin by thanking Jesus for our blessings. We can also praise him for forgiving our sins. And we can rejoice in his faithfulness and unending love.

As you add praise to your prayer, you can always ask Mary, Mother of God and your Mother, for help. You can use the Magnificat, her own song of praise, as a model as you set out to magnify the Lord (Luke 1:46-55). And you can take comfort in knowing that Mary is praising Jesus right along with you—all year long!

“My soul proclaims your greatness, Lord! My spirit rejoices in you, my Savior!” (Meditation on Luke 2:16-21, n.d.)

Peter Edmonds SJ reflects on the readings for the second week of Christmas. 

We close Christmas week by returning to the Christmas crib. Again we meet the shepherds; we meet unnamed bystanders. We meet Mary, to whom we dedicate this day as Mother of God. The shepherds come, see, praise God and disappear. The bystanders, astonished, like the shepherds, disappear. Mary treasured these things and pondered them in her heart. In the gospel story, Jesus praises her for hearing the word of God and keeping it. We welcome her into our company this new year. (Edmonds, 2022)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the priestly blessing given to Aaron that calls on the Presence of God and wishes shalom. This blessing was adopted by Francis of Assisi for the friars who followed his order. Friar Jude reminds us that Mary as the Jewish mother, is the inherited path of Jeshua, Yahweh saves.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares his understanding of the theme for this year’s Daily Meditations: The Prophetic Path, and what it means to him. He has long described the prophets as those who offer a “third way” beyond competitive, us-and-them thinking.

There is a third way beyond fight or flight, conservative or liberal, and it probably is a way of “kneeling.” Most people would just call it “wisdom,” which is always distinguished from mere intelligence. It demands a transformation of consciousness and a move beyond the dualistic win/lose mind.   

We come to this “third way” of the prophetic path only over time. In the words of W. H. Auden, “For the garden is the only place there is, but you will not find it / Until you have looked for it everywhere and found nowhere that is not a desert.” [2] The gospel accepts this essentially tragic nature of human existence; it is willing to bear the contradictions that are imprinted on all of reality. It will always be a road less traveled. Let’s call it “unstable stability”! But for some reason, it is only the real stability, because it is a truthful map of reality, and it is always the truth that sets us free. It is contact with Reality that finally heals us. And contemplation, quite simply, is meeting reality in its most simple, immediate, and contradictory form. It is the resolving of those immense contradictions that characterizes the mystics, the saints, the prophets, and all those who pray. The result is always a “third something.” [3] (Rohr, 2020)

We recall today that we live in the tension of trust in the always present love of God and the great challenge inherited from the Theotokos to ponder these mysteries.

References

Edmonds, P. (2022, December 29). Christmas Week 2. Thinking Faith. Retrieved January 1, 2023, from https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/christmas-week-2 

Galatians, CHAPTER 4. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 1, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/galatians/4?4 

Luke, CHAPTER 2. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 1, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/2?16 

Meditation on Luke 2:16-21. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 1, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/01/01/572940/ 

Numbers, CHAPTER 6. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 1, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/numbers/6?22 

Psalms, PSALM 67. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 1, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/67?2 

Rohr, R. (2020, July 11). The Prophetic Path. Daily Meditations Archive: 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/choosing-the-prophetic-path-2023-01-01/ 

Scholer, S. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved January 1, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/010123.html 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 1, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=jan1