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| “Christ between the Virgin and St John the Baptist” by Jan Gossaert, 1510-15 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Isaiah 56:1-3a, 6-8
Commentary on Is 56:1-3a, 6-8
This passage is part of what scholars call the “Post Exilic Torah,” or the law after their return to Israel following the Diaspora. It begins with a call to holiness. It is a call to the Hebrews to keep the law as the people return. It is only through this discipline of the Law of Moses that the people are set apart as the chosen people of God.
In this selection we also see that foreigners (those living outside Palestine) are offered membership in the faith community. The other important element is that the temple is given the name “a house of prayer.” This passage was quoted by Jesus as he drove the money changers from the temple (see Mark 11:17 and Matthew 21:13).
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 7-8
R. (4) O God, let all the nations praise you!
Commentary on Ps 67:2-3, 5, 7-8
Psalm 67 is a song of thanksgiving. These strophes request a blessing, that through the Lord’s graciousness, the nation might be an example of faith others will follow. The Lord exhibits his blessing with bountiful crops, a life-giving gift.
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Gospel: John 5:33-36
Commentary on Jn 5:33-36
Jesus continues his discourse as the revelation of his divinity continues. He now focuses on testimony other than his own to demonstrate that he is the Son of God. He starts with John the Baptist and then moves to the works he has performed in the Father’s name, indicating that those actions give testimony that he is from God.
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Reflection:
We believe that all that took place in sacred scripture before Christ’s nativity pointed at what was to follow his birth. The Law of Moses and the prophets, great and minor, gave testimony to the coming of the Messiah and the signs and wonders that would accompany his life on earth. St. John’s Gospel reports Jesus attempting to bring his own faith community to this understanding. The Lord points to the “Voice,” St. John the Baptist, and reminds the Jews that they had gone to the Baptist asking if he was the Messiah. When he responded that he was not, they asked if he was Elijah. Apparently not understanding his own role completely, the Baptist again said he was not (when in effect he was Elijah, fulfilling his own piece of prophecy).
When the Jews failed to understand St. John’s place in prophecy, Jesus points to his own actions as they fulfill prophetic statements made by Isaiah, Jeremiah and Malachi. These things, says the Lord, testify to his identity as the Messiah. They are the proofs that should satisfy the learned among them as to who he truly is. The Father sent him to us, sent him for a purpose. And when the angels proclaim once more that they bear good tidings of great joy, we should all be reminded that he comes as the promise of our Heavenly Father. He comes to remind us anew that God’s love for us is unending and his compassion never ceases.
In our turn, we, who are called his adoptive children, must comport ourselves such that the world recognizes our holy lineage. We inherit not only the promise of eternal salvation, but also the mission passed on to us through the Apostle Peter and his successors. We are called to take the message of the angelic choir that heralded his birth into the world. Just as St. John the Baptist (whose light was extinguished) and Mother Mary, Star of the Sea and perpetual light of our Savior, who both point to Jesus as the path to hope and salvation, we must also, through word and example, point to him.
This is our great Advent challenge; to prepare ourselves to accompany that angelic choir. We are called to sing out with them that the light of Christ is come into the world, and invite the world to bask in this life-giving light.
Pax
[1] The picture is “Christ between the Virgin and St John the Baptist” by Jan Gossaert, 1510-15
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