Friday, December 14, 2007

Memorial of Saint John of the Cross


Priest and Doctor of the Church

Biographical Information about St. John of the Cross[1]

Readings for Friday of the Second Week of Advent[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

Commentary:

Reading 1 Isaiah 48:17-19

This reading from the Book of Isaiah (again in Deutero-Isaiah) is part of what is known as the Recapitulation of the Hymns to the Lord Redeemer (Isaiah 40:12 – 48:22). In these verses we see the oracle predict God’s leadership of the faithful into salvation (that salvation flows from and becomes an actual part of God’s act of creation). Harkening back to Abraham, whose descendents he promised would “be like sand”, God promises to be the salvation of the faithful.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.

Psalm 1 serves as a preface to the whole book of the psalms. The psalmist here exalts those who follow the Lord’s commands and reflects upon the blessings they will receive. As is usual, this selection emphasizes the contrast between the salvation of the just and the punishment of the wicked

Gospel Matthew 11:16-19

St. Matthew recalls the Lord’s lament that the many of the people he has come to save have behaved like children. They expect their fellows to play the roles they are assigned in games according to what is generally accepted. St. John the Baptist and Jesus did not do that. As a prophet, St. John was not respected but called “possessed.” And Jesus himself, though he came as the salvation of the poor is called “glutton and a drunkard” for having reached out to “tax collectors and sinners.’

While this passage is perhaps more accurately translated in
Luke 7:35 as “. . wisdom is vindicated by all her children.", it is clear, in either case, that the Lord expects future generations to see the salvific role of the Messiah and his forerunner, St. John.

Reflection:

One of the classic movies shown on television at this time of year is “A Christmas Story”. It is the tale of a young man, Ralphy, growing up in the thirties or forties in the Midwest. His great wish for Christmas is a Red Rider BB Gun. As much as he tells the sources of wish fulfillment (his parents, Santa Clause, even his teacher at school) what he wants for Christmas, they all tell him the same thing; “You’ll shoot your eye out.” It is an engaging story with a happy ending. It does relate well to the Gospel today.

John the Baptist came as a prophet, in the tradition of Elijah we are told by our Gospel traditions. He was, as we have seen, not kind to the prominent members of the religious leadership (at one point calling a group of Pharisees and Sadducees a “brood of vipers”). Jesus himself, while he came in the tradition of a rabbi, did not seek the places of honor nor associate with the rich and influential members of the community. Instead he ate with sinners and went to the houses of tax collectors.

In St. John, the Jews, especially the leadership, expected a prophet, bold and noble, but he did not fit the part they wanted him to play. His message was difficult and his vision of the Messiah disturbing. So instead of respecting St. John and listening to his message they called him possessed of a demon and reviled him.

Similarly, the anticipated Messiah which St. John heralded was expected to come as a mighty king in the image of the line from which he was to arise, King David’s line. Instead they see Jesus, a carpenter’s son with not stately bearing, claiming no place of honor but consorting with the lowly and the outcast. Him they called a “glutton and a drunkard.”

They behaved like children, the Lord called them, children who were not playing the game right. Their expectations, like those of “Ralphy” in “A Christmas Story”, their expectations were dashed. Also like the movie, where on Christmas morning the boy finally gets his most desired present, the Lord tells us in the Gospel that Wisdom will prove the identity of those who were rejected.

And what lesson can we take from this story today? The real issue explained in scripture deals with expectations. We must ask ourselves what we expect in this Advent season. How do we expect to encounter Christ? Will we look for him in extravagant parties and expensive gifts exchanged? Or will we look for him among the poor and marginalized? Scripture is pretty clear.

Pax

[1] The picture used today is “St. John of the Cross”, Artist UNKNOWN, 17th Century
[2] After Links to Readings Expire

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