Baptism of the Lord
Luke 3:15-16, 21-22
The Way God Prepares Things
The Gospel for the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, in a sense, brings to a close the first part of Luke's Gospel. The end of the story of Jesus' birth and childhood is the beginning of the reports on his adult life.
Here, John the Baptist fulfills his mission, the mission the angel told his father with the announcement of his conception (Luke 1:16-17).
And here, John testifies to all the presence of the Messiah. God affirms that testimony by publically announcing that Jesus is God's beloved Son. This message previously was made known privately to Mary, Zechariah, Elizabeth, Simeon and Anna (Luke chapters 1 & 2). [1]
That is a brief example of how God plans, prepares, and "in the fullness of time" fulfills God's plan of love and salvation.
In the same way, nothing in our lives is accidental. We are God's beloved sons and daughters. And God prepares well to make that happen.
I should ask myself, "Do I believe that God has a unique plan for me?" and "Do I believe that God prepares me well for that plan?"
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[1] Luke Timothy Johnson, The Gospel of Luke. Sacra Pagina Series. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1991. p. 67.
January 9, 2010
Commentary
Epiphany
Matthew 2:1-12
In Bethlehem, not Jerusalem
The Magi come looking for "the newborn King of the Jews" in Jerusalem. That's understandable, since Jerusalem is the capital city and center of Judaism.
Bethlehem, on the other hand, is "least among the rulers of Judah" on any human standard. It only becomes significant because God has intended for the ruler and shepherd of Israel to be born there.
How often do we overlook the simple and ordinary events and people in our lives? Do we consider as prerequisites certain grandiocity by human standards in terms of background, connections, education, social status before we can do good?
Jesus, after all, is born in Bethlehem, not Jerusalem.
Matthew 2:1-12
In Bethlehem, not Jerusalem
The Magi come looking for "the newborn King of the Jews" in Jerusalem. That's understandable, since Jerusalem is the capital city and center of Judaism.
Bethlehem, on the other hand, is "least among the rulers of Judah" on any human standard. It only becomes significant because God has intended for the ruler and shepherd of Israel to be born there.
How often do we overlook the simple and ordinary events and people in our lives? Do we consider as prerequisites certain grandiocity by human standards in terms of background, connections, education, social status before we can do good?
Jesus, after all, is born in Bethlehem, not Jerusalem.
December 29, 2009
December 28, 2009
Commentary
Holy Family
Luke 2:41-52
Importance of Family Religious Routines
The passage from Luke emphasizes the religious routines of the Holy Family, "Each year, Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival customs." This simple fact indicates the family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus have tradition and routines.
In addition, their family life is similar to any human family, with blessings, joys, as well as unanswered mysteries, questions, and challenges (in this case, miscommunication, misunderstanding, and the raising of an adolescent child!)
The example of the Holy Family, however, teaches us to do the normal things of family life, with its blessings and issues, without loosing sight of the bigger picture - God's picture. They appreciate and preserve religious and spiritual tradition and routines. They pray and reflect. That is what Mary's "keeping all these things in her heart" can teach us. In this way, in their common family life, they ponder and discover God's plan and each person's vocation in their daily life.
Luke 2:41-52
Importance of Family Religious Routines
The passage from Luke emphasizes the religious routines of the Holy Family, "Each year, Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival customs." This simple fact indicates the family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus have tradition and routines.
In addition, their family life is similar to any human family, with blessings, joys, as well as unanswered mysteries, questions, and challenges (in this case, miscommunication, misunderstanding, and the raising of an adolescent child!)
The example of the Holy Family, however, teaches us to do the normal things of family life, with its blessings and issues, without loosing sight of the bigger picture - God's picture. They appreciate and preserve religious and spiritual tradition and routines. They pray and reflect. That is what Mary's "keeping all these things in her heart" can teach us. In this way, in their common family life, they ponder and discover God's plan and each person's vocation in their daily life.
December 26, 2009
December 24, 2009
Commentary
Christmas
Luke 2:1-14
A Savior Has Been Born for Us in "the House of Bread"
Today, on this beautiful celebration of our Savior's birth, instead of a "technical" commentary, let us have a quick look at 3 details from the passage of Luke's gospel, and draw some connections from them.
(1). The angel of the Lord proclaims to the shepherds, "I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord."
The good news of great joy is that a savior has been born for all the people, for all of us, for me!
(2). The Savior is born in the city of David. This city, as well-known now, is Bethlehem. Beth-lehem, in Hebrew, means, "house of bread." It is believed to refer to "its many field." [1]
Jesus today continues to come to us every time we celebrate the Eucharist. Jesus is the bread of life. Each church, each altar, is now a Bethlehem, where the Savior comes to us.
(3). Mary and Joseph "laid Jesus in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."
Is there room for Jesus in the inn of my heart when he comes to me today, in the Word, in the Eucharist, and in his brothers and sisters?
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[1] The Little Blue Book, Diocese of Saginaw, Michigan, 2009; entry for December 21, 2009.
Luke 2:1-14
A Savior Has Been Born for Us in "the House of Bread"
Today, on this beautiful celebration of our Savior's birth, instead of a "technical" commentary, let us have a quick look at 3 details from the passage of Luke's gospel, and draw some connections from them.
(1). The angel of the Lord proclaims to the shepherds, "I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord."
The good news of great joy is that a savior has been born for all the people, for all of us, for me!
(2). The Savior is born in the city of David. This city, as well-known now, is Bethlehem. Beth-lehem, in Hebrew, means, "house of bread." It is believed to refer to "its many field." [1]
Jesus today continues to come to us every time we celebrate the Eucharist. Jesus is the bread of life. Each church, each altar, is now a Bethlehem, where the Savior comes to us.
(3). Mary and Joseph "laid Jesus in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."
Is there room for Jesus in the inn of my heart when he comes to me today, in the Word, in the Eucharist, and in his brothers and sisters?
--------------
[1] The Little Blue Book, Diocese of Saginaw, Michigan, 2009; entry for December 21, 2009.
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