Mass in the Morning
Readings for Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
Within the historical books of the Old Testament (1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, 1 and 2 Maccabees), this passage is considered to have the most theological significance. Nathan’s Oracle – the establishment of the dynasty of King David marks the beginning of the understanding of royal messianism, our first hint of the Messiah to come.
In this passage, Nathan is told to tell David that, while he would not build the Temple, his son (Solomon) would and that his (David’s) line would continue; “Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.”
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
Though Psalm 89 is a lament, this first section is prophetic and reiterates the Davidic Dynasty. The intended support for the Samuel reading above is clear.
Gospel Luke 1:67-79
St. John the Baptist had been born to Elizabeth and the seal the Lord had placed on the mouth of his father Zechariah had been lifted when he had named his son in accordance with the wishes of God. We are given the Canticle of Zechariah, the father’s song to his son, praising God and predicting the role his son would fulfill in God’s plan as herald of the Messiah’s arrival. The whole Church sings this song each morning as part of the Morning Prayer of the Divine Office.
Reflection:
The preparation for the Advent of our Lord is nearly complete. With the exception of a few preparations and last minute details, we take a moment to recall God’s plan and make ourselves ready to accept the gift long expected. For those of us who pray the prayer of the Church, the Liturgy of the Hours, the Canticle of Zechariah is one familiar to us. Each morning we recall the words of one smitten by God and released to sing of a promise fulfilled.
We can only guess at the mind of Zechariah as he sings his prophetic song. His first words are in praise of God the Father whose promise is fulfilled with the coming of the Messiah. We see in his expectation how easy it would be to get the wrong idea about the sort of entrance this savior, predicted from the time of Abraham, would make. The Savior was to be born from the house of Kings – of King David’s line, King David who was a mighty king and fierce warrior securing the land through force of arms with God the Father sitting at his shoulder scattering Israel’s foes like match wood.
We see the truth of his great oracle in Jesus, but we also see how Zechariah’s son, John the Baptist, to whom he now sings, could have misunderstood and later, while he was in Herod’s prison, have sent his own disciples to ask the Lord if he was the one expected or if they should look for another. The song, however, sees the promise of God fulfilled, the promise made to all mankind throughout the history of that covenant.
We can almost see the eyes of Zechariah turn from their heavenward gaze to look at the infant in his arms. We hear his voice change from one of awe and praise to one of tenderness as he tells his son “You, my child, shall be the prophet of the Most High”. We wonder how much God has shown this priest of the Temple. Does he know this baby he now holds will shake the foundations of the Temple he serves? Does he know that by preparing the way for the Savior to come, he exposes the weakness of those in power to submit to God’s own Son?
Clearly, Zechariah sees the love of God embodied in the coming Savior of the world. He tells his son “In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death and to guide our feet into the way of peace.” All that the Father hopes for us is echoed there, his love, his compassion, his care for those who are lost, it is all there and in it we hear the parent’s prayer for their children.
The one who Zechariah sang about is almost at our doorstep and we pause and hope our hearts are prepared to accept the gift of a loving Father who will “…guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Pax
Readings for Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
Within the historical books of the Old Testament (1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, 1 and 2 Maccabees), this passage is considered to have the most theological significance. Nathan’s Oracle – the establishment of the dynasty of King David marks the beginning of the understanding of royal messianism, our first hint of the Messiah to come.
In this passage, Nathan is told to tell David that, while he would not build the Temple, his son (Solomon) would and that his (David’s) line would continue; “Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.”
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
Though Psalm 89 is a lament, this first section is prophetic and reiterates the Davidic Dynasty. The intended support for the Samuel reading above is clear.
Gospel Luke 1:67-79
St. John the Baptist had been born to Elizabeth and the seal the Lord had placed on the mouth of his father Zechariah had been lifted when he had named his son in accordance with the wishes of God. We are given the Canticle of Zechariah, the father’s song to his son, praising God and predicting the role his son would fulfill in God’s plan as herald of the Messiah’s arrival. The whole Church sings this song each morning as part of the Morning Prayer of the Divine Office.
Reflection:
The preparation for the Advent of our Lord is nearly complete. With the exception of a few preparations and last minute details, we take a moment to recall God’s plan and make ourselves ready to accept the gift long expected. For those of us who pray the prayer of the Church, the Liturgy of the Hours, the Canticle of Zechariah is one familiar to us. Each morning we recall the words of one smitten by God and released to sing of a promise fulfilled.
We can only guess at the mind of Zechariah as he sings his prophetic song. His first words are in praise of God the Father whose promise is fulfilled with the coming of the Messiah. We see in his expectation how easy it would be to get the wrong idea about the sort of entrance this savior, predicted from the time of Abraham, would make. The Savior was to be born from the house of Kings – of King David’s line, King David who was a mighty king and fierce warrior securing the land through force of arms with God the Father sitting at his shoulder scattering Israel’s foes like match wood.
We see the truth of his great oracle in Jesus, but we also see how Zechariah’s son, John the Baptist, to whom he now sings, could have misunderstood and later, while he was in Herod’s prison, have sent his own disciples to ask the Lord if he was the one expected or if they should look for another. The song, however, sees the promise of God fulfilled, the promise made to all mankind throughout the history of that covenant.
We can almost see the eyes of Zechariah turn from their heavenward gaze to look at the infant in his arms. We hear his voice change from one of awe and praise to one of tenderness as he tells his son “You, my child, shall be the prophet of the Most High”. We wonder how much God has shown this priest of the Temple. Does he know this baby he now holds will shake the foundations of the Temple he serves? Does he know that by preparing the way for the Savior to come, he exposes the weakness of those in power to submit to God’s own Son?
Clearly, Zechariah sees the love of God embodied in the coming Savior of the world. He tells his son “In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death and to guide our feet into the way of peace.” All that the Father hopes for us is echoed there, his love, his compassion, his care for those who are lost, it is all there and in it we hear the parent’s prayer for their children.
The one who Zechariah sang about is almost at our doorstep and we pause and hope our hearts are prepared to accept the gift of a loving Father who will “…guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “The Infant Christ Offering Water to St. John” by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, 1675-80
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