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| “St. John of the Cross” by Cesare Gennari, c. 1680’s |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Isaiah 45:6b-8, 18, 21b-25
Commentary on Is 45:6b-8, 18, 21b-25
This song from deutero-Isaiah, that part of the prophetic work written after the Jews returned from the Babylonian exile, praises God for his omnipotence. The selection begins with a prayer. “The Vulgate rendering gives a more precise messianic sense to this verse, using 'just one' and 'savior' in place of justice and salvation. The Advent liturgy uses the Vulgate form, Rorate coeli desuper . . ., to express the world's longing for the coming of Christ. “[4]
Isaiah sees the conquering armies of King Cyrus as a forerunner to the Messianic Kingdom that is to come, and using the invective style of the Prophet Amos, he describes the universal sweep of God’s kingdom on earth. The driving theology behind this passage is the certain knowledge that there is only one true God and hence only one true religion.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14
R. (Isaiah 45:8) Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.
Commentary on Ps 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14
Psalm 85 is a lament, begging for forgiveness and grace. This passage expresses the hope that God will be active in his support of the faithful.
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Gospel: Luke 7:18b-23
Commentary on Lk 7:18b-23
St. John the Baptist's sending of his disciples to find Jesus is also found in Matthew 11:2-19. St. Luke’s Gospel does not mention that John the Baptist is in prison at the time he sends his disciples to Jesus. Scholars have been puzzled by St. John’s question, “Are you the one…?” Did he doubt what he knew to be true? Was he surprised by Jesus’ failure to identify himself clearly? Or was he simply becoming discouraged like Jeremiah 15:10ff? The Lord sends him reassurance of his identity as the Messiah, quoting Isaiah 61:1 and Isaiah 35:5-6. These quotes provide a summary of how Jesus is fulfilling the prophecy of the Messiah.
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Reflection:
“Are you the one who is to come?” We hear the voice of St. John St. John
It is quite possible, and scholars have speculated, that John’s reaction in this case was one reflecting his own depression. He saw the end of his own mission as he sat in Herod’s dungeon. Was this a call of desperation, a call for the Messiah to come to his rescue? We think not. We think his message, passed on through his own followers, was a passing of authority. The Lord’s response makes it clear that St. John’s
Have we not all called out when things are darkest, “Are you the one? Help me!” When all hope seemed to be fading in our own situations, did we not call out, perhaps doubting the Lord’s love for us fleetingly? Like little children who tell their parents when they are punished that their parents don’t love them anymore, we accuse the Lord of failing us.
Now, as we look expectantly to his nativity and to the life that is to come, we are reassured. If St. John St. Thomas
Pax
[1] The picture is “St. John of the Cross” by Cesare Gennari, c. 1680’s
[4] See NAB footnote on Isaiah 45:8
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