Saint Nicholas of Myra
Biographical Information about Saint Nicholas of Myra[1]
Readings for Thursday of the First Week of Advent[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Isaiah 26:1-6
This selection from the book of Isaiah is part of a longer psalm of thanksgiving (Isaiah 25:1-27:1). It celebrates the victory of God as if it had already taken place. The vision of the secure and indomitable fortress, protected by faith in God is portrayed. That foundation of faith is like a rock which will endure forever. The warning is there as well as the prophet sees cities not founded on that same rock being destroyed, trampled by the poor of whom God takes special care.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Biographical Information about Saint Nicholas of Myra[1]
Readings for Thursday of the First Week of Advent[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Isaiah 26:1-6
This selection from the book of Isaiah is part of a longer psalm of thanksgiving (Isaiah 25:1-27:1). It celebrates the victory of God as if it had already taken place. The vision of the secure and indomitable fortress, protected by faith in God is portrayed. That foundation of faith is like a rock which will endure forever. The warning is there as well as the prophet sees cities not founded on that same rock being destroyed, trampled by the poor of whom God takes special care.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Psalm 118 is a song of thanksgiving. The selection given here links to the imagery in Isaiah above as praise is given to God who is our refuge and protection. The heavenly city is envisioned with “gates of justice” into which the faithful enter to receive mercy and salvation from God.
Gospel Matthew 7:21, 24-27
This reading from St. Matthew’s Gospel continues an attack on “false prophets” that began in verse 15. Here the Lord makes a distinction between saying and doing. The familiar metaphor of the “house built upon rock” refers to those who hear the word of the Lord from an authentic source and act upon it. The house built on sand is a metaphor for those who either are not taught authentically (by false prophets) or who do not act upon what they have been given.
Homily:
Today as we celebrate the Feast of St. Nicholas, one of the major figures of the secular Christmas season, it would be useful to reflect upon why this particular Saint has risen to so much notoriety and how it is that he became the icon of this season.
Tradition holds that Nicholas, the Bishop of Myra (in modern day Turkey) was known throughout the region for his generosity. It is said that on one occasion he received word that a poor man in his flock was going to be forced to sell his three daughters into, we shall say for the benefit of those with small children, a demeaning and despicable fate.
Upon hearing this St. Nicholas visited the man’s house late at night, after everyone was asleep and, through a window, he threw three golden balls. These balls, of great value, saved the young women from a horrible fate. There are a number of other tales about the exploits of St. Nicholas but the one just told seems to be the beginnings of our modern Christmas tradition when the good Saint (over the years in the United States he has become known as Santa (Latin for Saint) Clause (short for Nicholas)) sneaks into houses on the vigil of the feast celebrating the birth of our Savior and places gifts for the faithful in their houses.
Saints, of which Nicholas of Myra is one, have a common characteristic. They all not only proclaim Jesus as Lord but they act upon that faith in ways that support their faith. That is the lesson that we take from the Gospel today and the one supported by the example of St. Nicholas who came to help the poor and shines as an example of generosity and compassion for us. May we too profess the Lord as our savior, our rock, and act upon our beliefs.
Pax
[1] The picture today is “St. Nicholas” by Tintoretto, date UNKNOWN
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
Psalm 118 is a song of thanksgiving. The selection given here links to the imagery in Isaiah above as praise is given to God who is our refuge and protection. The heavenly city is envisioned with “gates of justice” into which the faithful enter to receive mercy and salvation from God.
Gospel Matthew 7:21, 24-27
This reading from St. Matthew’s Gospel continues an attack on “false prophets” that began in verse 15. Here the Lord makes a distinction between saying and doing. The familiar metaphor of the “house built upon rock” refers to those who hear the word of the Lord from an authentic source and act upon it. The house built on sand is a metaphor for those who either are not taught authentically (by false prophets) or who do not act upon what they have been given.
Homily:
Today as we celebrate the Feast of St. Nicholas, one of the major figures of the secular Christmas season, it would be useful to reflect upon why this particular Saint has risen to so much notoriety and how it is that he became the icon of this season.
Tradition holds that Nicholas, the Bishop of Myra (in modern day Turkey) was known throughout the region for his generosity. It is said that on one occasion he received word that a poor man in his flock was going to be forced to sell his three daughters into, we shall say for the benefit of those with small children, a demeaning and despicable fate.
Upon hearing this St. Nicholas visited the man’s house late at night, after everyone was asleep and, through a window, he threw three golden balls. These balls, of great value, saved the young women from a horrible fate. There are a number of other tales about the exploits of St. Nicholas but the one just told seems to be the beginnings of our modern Christmas tradition when the good Saint (over the years in the United States he has become known as Santa (Latin for Saint) Clause (short for Nicholas)) sneaks into houses on the vigil of the feast celebrating the birth of our Savior and places gifts for the faithful in their houses.
Saints, of which Nicholas of Myra is one, have a common characteristic. They all not only proclaim Jesus as Lord but they act upon that faith in ways that support their faith. That is the lesson that we take from the Gospel today and the one supported by the example of St. Nicholas who came to help the poor and shines as an example of generosity and compassion for us. May we too profess the Lord as our savior, our rock, and act upon our beliefs.
Pax
[1] The picture today is “St. Nicholas” by Tintoretto, date UNKNOWN
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
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