Sunday, December 20, 2009The Glorious Mysteries
Father Brandon's sermon was nothing special tonight (nobody hits a home run every time!) :) But what I did get out of it was an interpretation of the phrase, "Mary set out in haste..." that I had not considered before. The phrase "in haste" could mean "quickly", or it can mean "in joyful anticipation". Using the latter definition, I have a new appreciation for why Luke used the phrase in the way he did. And it led me to my meditation for today:
Christmas is just a week away! What happened to your plans to "start over" this year? Or are you smiling contentedly as you read this meditation, "Well, I've had a great Advent! I can't wait for Christmas!"
The readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent anticipate the joy of the Incarnation. Micah's prophecy, though written eight centuries before the coming of Christ, shows us how far in advance God planned "from ancient times" to send a shepherd king who would lovingly heal His people. He would come as one of us - vulnerable and humble - to atone for the sins and shortcomings of the leaders of both kingdoms. Micah's prophecies were usually condemnatory, but today's prophecy promises a bright future.
The second reading from Hebrews emphasizes the self-sacrifice of Jesus. Even as He comes as a sweet, tiny baby, the manger is really a bed of sacrifice. He gives Himself freely from love. This love is the astounding fact about Christmas. It is the birth of a Divine love enriching our selfish human nature. He comes that we too may learn to sacrifice ourselves to the Father and to consecrate ourselves to Divine Love for the benefit of our neighbor, and indeed, for the whole world.
The Gospel is an intimate encounter between two women of faith. Both have trusted in the secrecy of pregnancy. They both are moved to share their secrets. It is said that a person is as sick as their secrets. It seems that healthy secrets are those that will result in life, growth and joyfulness.
Mary has been greeted by an angel and trusts what she hears in her soul. The first thing she is moved to do is to check it out with her cousin whom she has heard is pregnant too. Elizabeth hears Mary’s greeting and trusts what she hears and feels within her body. Through the Spirit, both Elizabeth and the unborn John the Baptist, prophesy as to the blessedness of Mary and the greatness of her Son. Elizabeth greets Mary with a tender benediction: “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
St. Luke lets us know throughout his Gospel how faithful God is to what He promises. Like Mary, our model for holiness, who was "blest for her believing that what was promised will be fulfilled," so we are shown the way to being blessed by God.
It's never too late to start over. Let's make one final attempt this Sunday to banish the fear and depression brought on by the daily news reports, and to stir up our joy in the action of the Holy Spirit on a young girl and her elderly cousin living in a backwater village like Bethlehem. The Child born for us is still working His miracles of love. He still promises eventual peace to our world.
The readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent anticipate the joy of the Incarnation. Micah's prophecy, though written eight centuries before the coming of Christ, shows us how far in advance God planned "from ancient times" to send a shepherd king who would lovingly heal His people. He would come as one of us - vulnerable and humble - to atone for the sins and shortcomings of the leaders of both kingdoms. Micah's prophecies were usually condemnatory, but today's prophecy promises a bright future.
The second reading from Hebrews emphasizes the self-sacrifice of Jesus. Even as He comes as a sweet, tiny baby, the manger is really a bed of sacrifice. He gives Himself freely from love. This love is the astounding fact about Christmas. It is the birth of a Divine love enriching our selfish human nature. He comes that we too may learn to sacrifice ourselves to the Father and to consecrate ourselves to Divine Love for the benefit of our neighbor, and indeed, for the whole world.
The Gospel is an intimate encounter between two women of faith. Both have trusted in the secrecy of pregnancy. They both are moved to share their secrets. It is said that a person is as sick as their secrets. It seems that healthy secrets are those that will result in life, growth and joyfulness.
Mary has been greeted by an angel and trusts what she hears in her soul. The first thing she is moved to do is to check it out with her cousin whom she has heard is pregnant too. Elizabeth hears Mary’s greeting and trusts what she hears and feels within her body. Through the Spirit, both Elizabeth and the unborn John the Baptist, prophesy as to the blessedness of Mary and the greatness of her Son. Elizabeth greets Mary with a tender benediction: “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
St. Luke lets us know throughout his Gospel how faithful God is to what He promises. Like Mary, our model for holiness, who was "blest for her believing that what was promised will be fulfilled," so we are shown the way to being blessed by God.
It's never too late to start over. Let's make one final attempt this Sunday to banish the fear and depression brought on by the daily news reports, and to stir up our joy in the action of the Holy Spirit on a young girl and her elderly cousin living in a backwater village like Bethlehem. The Child born for us is still working His miracles of love. He still promises eventual peace to our world.
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