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 

Satisfaction and Rejoicing

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to respond to the prompting of the Spirit that confirms the Presence of God in our daily lives.

The Path of Presence

In the reading from the Book of Job, he Is Humbled and Satisfied.

* [42:2–4] In his final speech, Job quotes God’s own words (see 38:2–3; 40:7).

* [42:5] In 19:25–27 Job had affirmed a hope to “see” (three times) his vindicator. Now he has seen the Lord about whom he had heard so much.

* [42:6] A difficult verse. Some doubt, in view of God’s commendation in v. 7, that Job does in fact express repentance, and alternative translations are often given. Along with v. 5, it describes a change in Job, which the encounter with the Lord has brought about. Dust and ashes: an ambiguous phrase. It can refer to the human condition (cf. Gn 18:27; Jb 30:19) or to Job’s ash heap (2:8).

 [42:14] Job’s daughters had names symbolic of their charms: Jemimah, dove; Keziah, precious perfume (cf. Ps 45:9); Keren-happuch, cosmetic jar—more precisely, a container for a black powder used like modern mascara.

* [42:15] Ordinarily daughters did not inherit property unless there were no sons; cf. Nm 27:1–11. (Job, CHAPTER 42 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 119 praises the Glories of God’s Law.

* [Psalm 119] This Psalm, the longest by far in the Psalter, praises God for giving such splendid laws and instruction for people to live by. The author glorifies and thanks God for the Torah, prays for protection from sinners enraged by others’ fidelity to the law, laments the cost of obedience, delights in the law’s consolations, begs for wisdom to understand the precepts, and asks for the rewards of keeping them. (Psalms, PSALM 119 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus Rejoices after the Return of the Seventy. 

* [10:18] I have observed Satan fall like lightning: the effect of the mission of the seventy-two is characterized by the Lucan Jesus as a symbolic fall of Satan. As the kingdom of God is gradually being established, evil in all its forms is being defeated; the dominion of Satan over humanity is at an end.

* [10:21] Revealed them to the childlike: a restatement of the theme announced in Lk 8:10: the mysteries of the kingdom are revealed to the disciples. See also note on Mt 11:25–27. (Luke, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

Edward Morse comments that today’s gospel provides words of judgment and justice yet to come, words of correction aimed at those who have hardened their hearts despite witnesses from wondrous events.

Attitudes that are rightly ordered provide guidance on our journey, helping us to rise above challenges by disposing us to receive information we need from the world around us and guidance from the unseen work of the Spirit.  We sometimes fail to embrace humility, wonder, and gratitude, which are so important to keep our hearts and minds open to the light.  But God’s invitation remains open to us.  Today, let us pause to listen, reflect, and go forth in wonder.  “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.  Alleluia, alleluia.” (Morse, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “The power of the Kingdom of God,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"He also gave the holy apostles power and might even to raise the dead, cleanse lepers, heal the sick, and by the laying on of hands to call down from heaven the Holy Spirit on anyone they wanted. He gave them power to bind and to loose people's sins. His words are 'I say to you, whatever you will bind on earth, will be bound in heaven (Matthew 18:18). Whatever you will loose on earth, will be loosed in heaven.' These are the things we see ourselves possessing. Blessed are our eyes and the eyes of those of all who love him. We have heard his wonderful teaching. He has given us the knowledge of God the Father, and he has shown him to us in his own nature. The things that were by Moses were only types and symbols. Christ has revealed the truth to us. He has taught us that not by blood and smoke, but rather by spiritual sacrifices, we must honor him who is spiritual, immaterial and above all understanding."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 67) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17 comments that, in a sense, Job is every one of us. We think we know, but life teaches us that we don’t. We think we can predict God’s actions, but time shows that we can’t. And it’s not because we aren’t holy enough. Even the great St. Paul, who saw the Lord in visions and heard his voice directly, confessed that we could only “see indistinctly, as in a mirror” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

It’s okay not to have all the answers—or any answer, for that matter. What matters is not how much you know but how much you trust your heavenly Father. He is the all-knowing God who holds you in the palm of his hand. He is the all-loving God who sent his Son to redeem you. Of course he will care for you! Even when you can’t see him or feel him or grasp his ways, he is right by your side, holding you in his love.

“Lord, help me to trust in you!” (Meditation on Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the transformation of Job to surrender as he realizes that God is beyond his understanding. The very material ending of the Book of Job suggests some different explanations. Friar Jude notes that Jesus praises God for the willingness of the disciples to take a risk to realize their gifts from God.

The reflection of Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, was not available at publication time.

We experience the Presence of God in our encounters with Love, Truth, Goodness and Nature and we rejoice as we live our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader.

References

Job, CHAPTER 42 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 5, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/job/42?1 

Luke, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 5, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/10?17 

Meditation on Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 5, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/10/05/1097326/ 

Morse, E. (2024, October 4). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved October 5, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/100524.html 

Psalms, PSALM 119 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 5, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/119? 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 5, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=oct5 

Source of Peace and Joy

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with the awe and wonder with which we encounter love, compassion, and mercy on our journey.

Revealed to the childlike

The reading from the Prophet Isaiah is a vision of the Peaceful Kingdom.

* [11:1–16] Isaiah 11 contains a prophecy of the rise of a new Davidic king who will embody the ancient ideal of Davidic kingship (vv. 1–9), an elaboration of that prophecy in a further description of that king’s rule (v. 10), and a prophecy of God’s deliverance of the chosen people from exile and cessation of enmities (vv. 11–16).

* [11:1–9 (10)] Here Isaiah looks forward to a new Davidide who will realize the ancient ideals (see Ps 72). The oracle does not seem to have a particular historical person in mind.

* [11:1] Shoot…stump: the imagery suggests the bankruptcy of the monarchy as embodied in the historical kings, along with the need for a new beginning, to spring from the very origin from which David and his dynasty arose. Jesse: David’s father (cf. 1 Sm 16:1–13).

* [11:2–3] The source of the traditional names of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Septuagint and the Vulgate read “piety” for “fear of the Lord” in its first occurrence, thus listing seven gifts.

* [11:6–9] This picture of the idyllic harmony of paradise is a dramatic symbol of universal peace and justice under the rule of the new Davidic king. The peace and harmony even among carnivores and their natural prey in this description suggest a paradisiac aspect of the reign of the new king. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 11, 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.

* [72:2] The king…the king’s son: the crown prince is the king’s son; the prayer envisages the dynasty.

* [72:8] From sea to sea…the ends of the earth: the boundaries of the civilized world known at the time: from the Mediterranean Sea (the western sea) to the Persian Gulf (the eastern sea), and from the Euphrates (the river) to the islands and lands of southwestern Europe, “the ends of the earth.” The words may also have a mythic nuance—the earth surrounded by cosmic waters, hence everywhere. (Psalms, PSALM 72, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus Rejoices.

* [10:21] Revealed them to the childlike: a restatement of the theme announced in Lk 8:10: the mysteries of the kingdom are revealed to the disciples. See also note on Mt 11:25–27. (Luke, CHAPTER 10, n.d.)

Steve Scholer recommends that as we journey through this Advent season, let us not only enjoy the miracle of Christ’s birth, but patiently listen to what God is telling us. Whether from the pulpit, our daily reflections, prayer, or our myriad experiences as we interact with others, let us strive to discern how God reveals his love for us and how we are responding to it.

Are we living as Christ would want us to, unselfish in how we treat those less fortunate, merciful in our judgments about the actions of others, forgiving the wrongs we suffer? If the foundation of our faith is built on God’s love for us, then these things should come easily. If they don’t, then we need to remember this Advent season that “There are three things that will endure; faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 (Scholer, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “The Seven Gifts of the Spirit,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.

"So, then, the Holy Spirit is the river, and the abundant river, which according to the Hebrews flowed from Jesus in the lands, as we have received it prophesied by the mouth of Isaiah (Isaiah 66:12). This is the great river that flows always and never fails. And not only a river, but also one of copious stream and overflowing greatness, as also David said: 'The stream of the river makes glad the city of God' (Psalm 46:4). For neither is that city, the heavenly Jerusalem, watered by the channel of any earthly river, but that Holy Spirit, proceeding from the fount of life, by a short draught of whom we are satiated, seems to flow more abundantly among those celestial thrones, dominions and powers, angels and archangels, rushing in the full course of the seven virtues of the Spirit. For if a river rising above its banks overflows, how much more does the Spirit, rising above every creature, when he touches the low-lying fields of our minds, as it were, make glad that heavenly nature of the creatures with the larger fertility of his sanctification.

And let it not trouble you that either here it is said 'rivers' (John 7:38) or elsewhere 'seven Spirits,' (Revelation 5:6) for by the sanctification of these seven gifts of the Spirit, as Isaiah said, is signified the fullness of all virtue; the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and godliness, and the Spirit of the fear of God. One, then is the river, but many the channels of the gifts of the Spirit. This river, then, goes forth from the fount of life." (excerpt from ON THE HOLY SPIRIT 1.16) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Isaiah 11:1-10 comments that we all long for that day when peace will reign because we all have “impossible” situations that we can’t resolve. They may even seem too difficult to pray for. Yet Isaiah declares that we can have hope. The new creation has come, and Jesus has the power to help us. He can bring new life even where it seems impossible.

As you begin Advent, surrender your impossibilities to Jesus. Trust him to come and act. He will move forward his plan of peace for you. He’s not bound by what seems impossible.

“Come, Jesus, make all things new in my life!” (Meditation on Isaiah 11:1-10, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler considers how the text from Isaiah seeks a king to rule with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and bring justice and shalom to Jews and Gentiles. Jesus notes that the mysteries are revealed to the childlike with a sense of awe and wonder and are often invisible to the overly analytic. Friar Jude invites us to reacquire awe and wonder in the Eucharist and our community.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces author Judy Cannato (1949–2011) who emphasizes the importance of amazement as the starting point for contemplation. She names the difficulty we face trying to recognize and hold on to what’s “real”.

Contemplation is a long loving look at what is real. How often we are fooled by what mimics the real. Indeed, we live in a culture that flaunts the phony and thrives on glittering fabrication. We are so bombarded by the superficial and the trivial that we can lose our bearings and give ourselves over to a way of living that drains us of our humanity. Seduced by the superficial, we lose the very freedom we think all our acquisitions will provide. When we are engaged in the experience and practice of radical amazement, we begin to distinguish between the genuine and the junk. Caught up in contemplative awareness and rooted in love, we begin to break free from cultural confines and embrace the truth that lies at the heart of all reality: We are one. (Rohr, 2023)

We implore the guidance of the Spirit to restore our sense of awe and wonder at our experiences of truth, goodness, and love as we seek to live in the “shalom” described by Isaiah.

References

Isaiah, CHAPTER 11. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/11?1 

Luke, CHAPTER 10. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/10? 

Meditation on Isaiah 11:1-10. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/12/05/842584/ 

Psalms, PSALM 72. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/72?1 

Rohr, R. (2023, December 5). An Awe That Connects — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/an-awe-that-connects/ 

Scholer, S. (2023, December 5). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/120523.html 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Blessed Are the Eyes Which See What You See! Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=dec5