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| “Tree of Jesse” by Jan Mostaert, c. 1500 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Isaiah 11:1-10
Commentary on Is 11:1-10
Isaiah predicts that the line of David will produce the Messiah with the first verse: “stump of Jesse,” King David’s father. The stump refers to the line of David being cut back during the Babylonian Exile. For the first time in scripture, the prophet then presents the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.[4] (Note also the reference to fullness. In Hebrew numerology the number “7” is the perfect number.) In the Septuagint and the Vulgate, the word "piety" is coupled with “fear of the Lord.”
The description of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is followed with a list of the just and compassionate characteristics of the messianic rule. This is followed by a picture of universal peace under the messiah’s rule. Isaiah sees the return of the messianic King as predicting that the messiah will come from King David’s line and will ultimately bring great peace. The term used, “…on all my holy mountain” indicates this peace is for all the faithful, not just those in Jerusalem.
CCC: Is 11:1-9 672; Is 11:1-2 712, 1831; Is 11:2 436, 536, 1286
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
R. (see 7) Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
Commentary on Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
This Royal Psalm extols the virtuous characteristics of justice and compassion. In this selection we hear an echo of the justice and peace of the King’s rule that is reiterated in Isaiah’s prophecy (Isaiah 11:1-10).
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Gospel: Luke 10:21-24
Commentary on Lk 10:21-24
Jesus rejoices in the Holy Spirit because his disciples have understood his role of Messiah in the kingdom. He restates his relationship as Son of God: “No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him." The inference here is that we must approach our faith with “childlike” belief and trust in order to achieve true understanding.
Earlier in this chapter of St. Luke’s Gospel, Jesus sent out the seventy (two). Just prior to this selection (Luke 10:17-20), they returned and reported great success in doing what the Lord asked of them. These verses are his prayer of thanks to the Father. The Lord gives thanks that God has seen fit to reveal his identity and pass on his power to these disciples of his. It is reiterated that the Kingdom of God shall be revealed to the childlike (see also Luke 8:10). Turning to his disciples, he tells them that the victory they are witnessing is the Good News, hoped for by prophets and kings throughout history.
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Reflection:
As we hear the words of St. Luke today, how Jesus is caught up in the Holy Spirit and begins to pray, thanking God for his aid in the Lord’s mission, we can’t help but remember Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. This great science fiction epic was written by in 1870. At one point in the story, the infamous Captain Nemo was asked if he intended to share his great scientific discoveries with the rest of the world. He informed his prisoner/narrator, Professor Aronnax, that he would never do that because the world was not ready for so great a power. This story is recalled because Jesus rejoices for the opposite reason.
While the great knowledge and power of the mythical antagonist in the novel needs to be kept secret, the great knowledge and power of the Lord must be spread, so that all might have access to it and find hope as a result. This Advent season, as we look forward with hope to the Lord’s coming, we are reminded that this anticipation and hope are not shared by all of those we meet. Incredible as it seems to us, many of our colleagues, friends, and acquaintances think of this season only for the presents they must buy, and the orgy of commercialism that infuses the economy of the country with great strength because of all the money that is spent. They do not realize that our Advent is first devoted to preparing for the Lord’s return, when he will come again in glory!
In the Gospel, the Lord rejoices because God’s word has reached so many others. He thanks his Father that their ears have been opened by the words and works of his followers. This is the legacy we have been handed. As we prepare ourselves to join the Lord when he comes again, and to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord, we recall that we too are asked to joyfully make known the reason for the season (cliché but appropriate). Children understand this very easily, but they must hear it first. Adults need to overcome their cynicism and adopt a childlike attitude that recalls the Christmas proclamation: “Joy to the World!”
We hear St. Luke relay the story once more of how the Lord was ecstatic over the success of the seventy-two in proclaiming the Good News. Now it is our turn. We must not, through our actions, seem to be like Captain Nemo, keeping the great promise to ourselves. We are called to share that glorious message, and in sharing the joy of that announcement, it will be returned to us, and we move closer to the promised peace of Christ.
Pax
[2] The picture used today is “Tree of Jesse” by Jan Mostaert, c. 1500
[4] From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1831 “The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. They belong in their fullness to Christ, Son of David. They complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them. They make the faithful docile in readily obeying divine inspirations. “Let your good spirit lead me on a level path.(Psalm 143:10) For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God . . . If children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.”( Romans 8:14,17.)
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