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| “St John the Baptist in the Desert” by Jusepe de Ribera, 1644-47 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Isaiah 54:1-10
Commentary on Is 54:1-10
The prophet provides an analogy of the New Zion (New Jerusalem) using the sterile wife image seen many times in Old Testament scripture (see also Sarah in Genesis 15:2; 16:1, Rachel in Genesis 29:31, Manoah’s wife in Judges 13:2 and Anna in 1 Samuel 1:2). All of these women bore children through God’s special intervention. Likewise the Heavenly Father would give his special providence to barren Jerusalem if her people return to the faith of their holy forebears. For the Christian, we are also reminded of Elizabeth, the mother of St. John the Baptist who brought the last prophet forth from a barren womb to fulfill yet another prophecy.
The reference relevant to the Hebrews reflects upon the Babylonian exile (“For a brief moment I abandoned you …“). It is understood by the Christian faithful to refer to the New Jerusalem, Zion the Church, God’s heavenly kingdom. In this oracle the Prophet speaks of the everlasting covenant that would be the Messiah (Galatians 4:27).
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 30:2 and 4, 5-6, 11-12a and 13b
R. (2a) I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Commentary on Ps 30:2 and 4, 5-6, 11-12a and 13b
Psalm 30 is an individual hymn of praise. In this selection we find the singer praising God for deliverance. In the second part, others are asked to join in the hymn and then there is a return to thanks and praise in the final strophe. The image of resurrection is clearly evident in the first strophe: “O Lord, you brought me up from the netherworld; you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.”
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Gospel: Luke 7:24-30
Commentary on Lk 7:24-30
St. Luke records the aftermath of Jesus’ discourse with the disciples of St. John the Baptist. The description uses almost identical language to that in Matthew 11:8-11. Jesus asks the rhetorical question: “What did you go out to the desert to see...?” His question implies that those who now follow him (Jesus) once followed the Baptist. Jesus reaffirms the prophetic status of St. John, confirming that it was of him the Prophet Malachi was speaking as he quoted from Malachi 3:1 [and Exodus 23:20]. As in St. Matthew's Gospel, the Lord tells those that follow him that the Baptist is the greatest person living “born of woman.” Yet, those who are faithful and join the angelic choirs in the Kingdom of God are greater than he, indicating the exalted status of the faithful in God’s eyes.
The passage concludes with a parenthetic reference to those so exalted in faith (having repented their sins in the baptism of St. John), and those condemned, the Pharisees and scholars who felt no need of repentance and therefore rejected baptism.
CCC: Lk 7:26 523, 719
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Reflection:
If the words of the Gospel sound familiar, it is because we have heard them before in this Advent Season. However, they came from St. Matthew’s Gospel, not St. Luke’s. After the disciples of St. John the Baptist had asked Jesus to confirm his identity as the Messiah, and had received their answer and left, Jesus turned to the crowds and confirmed that the predictions of the prophets were being fulfilled in their presence. He challenged their image of what a prophet should be. His words fell on the Pharisees and Scribes present like hammer blows.
Someone dressed in fine garments?
Those who dress luxuriously and live sumptuously
are found in royal palaces.
Then what did you go out to see?
They were the supposed custodians of faith. They were the ones in fine garments, living in fine houses. Jesus essentially told the people gathered that they would not find the true revelation of God’s will with them.
The Evangelist’s words come to us as we walk upon our Advent Journey as well. As we dash from store to store, or from party to party, the question echoes in our ears: “What did you go out to see?” Our constant reminder is that the Lord came humbly, without fanfare, to a tiny stable in a dinky village. He does not love the attitudes of conceit or pride, but rather repentance and a sincere offering of a contrite heart.
Our entire Advent journey culminates in a birthday that reminds us that God has sent us a gift that allows our change of heart to mean something. Without the Lord, our contrition would serve nothing. Today we rejoice once more. Our plea for forgiveness has been answered and the gates of heaven are open. We are reminded of what we have come to see.
Pax
[2] The picture is “St John the Baptist in the Desert” by Jusepe de Ribera, 1644-47
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