Readings for Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a
This story from Judges appears to parallel the Christ story in a number of ways. First in the circumstances of the Israelites, who are under the rule of a foreign power, this time the Philistines. Next we are given divine intervention in the conception of a person who could be called a savior of the people, although not in the same terms of deity as Jesus. Sampson in a more conventional way was dedicated from the womb to be God’s servant and under the ancient rite was placed under the nazirite vow, which obliged him to abstain from drinking wine or having his hair cut; cf Numbers 6:2-8.
This story from Judges appears to parallel the Christ story in a number of ways. First in the circumstances of the Israelites, who are under the rule of a foreign power, this time the Philistines. Next we are given divine intervention in the conception of a person who could be called a savior of the people, although not in the same terms of deity as Jesus. Sampson in a more conventional way was dedicated from the womb to be God’s servant and under the ancient rite was placed under the nazirite vow, which obliged him to abstain from drinking wine or having his hair cut; cf Numbers 6:2-8.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17
R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!
R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!
Psalm 71 is the lament of an old person whose afflictions are considered to be divine judgment. The focus of this passage is on the dedication of this person to God from birth and follows the theme established above in Judges. Here we are told of the faithfulness of one so dedicated.
Gospel
Luke 1:5-25The Gospel from St. Luke today gives us the story of Zechariah receiving the news that he is to have a son with his wife Elizabeth. It is clear that this story bears much in common with the story we heard in Judges about the conception of Sampson. Elizabeth was also barren; both conceptions were announced by angles, although in the case of Zechariah, the angle was one of the three named archangels, Gabriel. Both children were dedicated to God from the womb but St. John the Baptist, whose tale this is, was given a specific task and labeled from the womb as a great prophet; “He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah.”
In the final verses, Elizabeth, we are told, goes into seclusion with praise to God for having given her the gift of her child. This statement reflects the societal view of that period that women who could not have children were being punished by God and therefore had some hidden sin; “…he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.”
Reflection:
Sometimes the fingerprints of God are hard to distinguish and at other times they shine with unmistakable brilliance. In scripture today we are shown two major points in history where God reached down and, using the flesh, gave the world evidence of his love. In these examples more is revealed, we are given an M.O. or modus operandi.
It seems that when God wants to really get involved in saving his people he acts very strategically. He does not take a hand in real-time. Rather he reaches down to the most improbable people and uses their issue as tools to create amazing and wondrous events. We see it coming in the Old Testament with events like the miraculous conception of Sampson and culminating in the most spectacular event in all eternity with the birth of Jesus, God’s Only Begotten Son.
We see clearly, in Holy Scripture, the similarities between these touch points and just as clearly the differences come into stark relief. In the case of Sampson and then John the Baptist the parents of these two salvific persons were told that they would bare children who would be dedicated to God from “the womb”. In the case of Jesus however, Mary was a young virgin who had never known man and it was through the Holy Spirit she conceived, not through divine pronouncement of a human act.
In the cases of both Sampson and John the Baptist (although John’s mission was much more clearly established by God), both men accomplished great things because they were supported by God. In Jesus case – his self predicted path, while going in scope and in depth beyond anything seen before, seems almost anti-climatic, an expected outcome in spite of its heroic proportions. Perhaps it is because of his quiet passion and humility that we feel his great power. There was nothing about him that would have otherwise called our attention to him (see Isaiah).
Seeing the marvels the Lord has done through these ancient people of faith, we must ask ourselves “Is the Lord going to act through me?” The people he chose were not, before their choosing, persons who would have been expected to be “world changing.” Yet, look at the roles they played. If God can take Zechariah and Elizabeth and call them to bare a Prophet and call Manoah and his wife to bare a King, what may he ask of us? What does he ask of us?
As we fly through this last week before we celebrate the Lord’s Nativity we are given another insight into the God who saves us. We can take that additional piece of understanding and bolster the faith that is the foundation of our strength and brace ourselves for the wondrous event that is fast approaching. Our ears are now keenly open for his guidance.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture today is “Zechariah and Gabriel” by Julius Schonnor von Carolsfeld, 1851-60
Reflection:
Sometimes the fingerprints of God are hard to distinguish and at other times they shine with unmistakable brilliance. In scripture today we are shown two major points in history where God reached down and, using the flesh, gave the world evidence of his love. In these examples more is revealed, we are given an M.O. or modus operandi.
It seems that when God wants to really get involved in saving his people he acts very strategically. He does not take a hand in real-time. Rather he reaches down to the most improbable people and uses their issue as tools to create amazing and wondrous events. We see it coming in the Old Testament with events like the miraculous conception of Sampson and culminating in the most spectacular event in all eternity with the birth of Jesus, God’s Only Begotten Son.
We see clearly, in Holy Scripture, the similarities between these touch points and just as clearly the differences come into stark relief. In the case of Sampson and then John the Baptist the parents of these two salvific persons were told that they would bare children who would be dedicated to God from “the womb”. In the case of Jesus however, Mary was a young virgin who had never known man and it was through the Holy Spirit she conceived, not through divine pronouncement of a human act.
In the cases of both Sampson and John the Baptist (although John’s mission was much more clearly established by God), both men accomplished great things because they were supported by God. In Jesus case – his self predicted path, while going in scope and in depth beyond anything seen before, seems almost anti-climatic, an expected outcome in spite of its heroic proportions. Perhaps it is because of his quiet passion and humility that we feel his great power. There was nothing about him that would have otherwise called our attention to him (see Isaiah).
Seeing the marvels the Lord has done through these ancient people of faith, we must ask ourselves “Is the Lord going to act through me?” The people he chose were not, before their choosing, persons who would have been expected to be “world changing.” Yet, look at the roles they played. If God can take Zechariah and Elizabeth and call them to bare a Prophet and call Manoah and his wife to bare a King, what may he ask of us? What does he ask of us?
As we fly through this last week before we celebrate the Lord’s Nativity we are given another insight into the God who saves us. We can take that additional piece of understanding and bolster the faith that is the foundation of our strength and brace ourselves for the wondrous event that is fast approaching. Our ears are now keenly open for his guidance.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture today is “Zechariah and Gabriel” by Julius Schonnor von Carolsfeld, 1851-60
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