A Lectio Divina Approach to the Sunday Liturgy
BREAKING THE BRREAD OF THE WORD (Series 5, n. 4)
4th Sunday of Advent, Year C – December 24, 2006
Mic 5:1-4a // Heb 10:5-10 // Lk 1:39-45
The archeologist Sal Trento’s article “Tidings of Joy” in GUIDEPOSTS Magazine (DECEMBER 2006 issue, p. 68-72) narrates of a mysterious visit he received on a Christmas Eve when he lay near death in a hospital bed after a terrible car accident. He was feeling trapped in a broken body and trapped by his regrets about the past, when a mysterious elderly lady with intense blue eyes entered his room in the ICU to hold his hand and pray for him. Sal writes:
Instinctively I wanted to pull my hand away. But I couldn’t . I was too weak. Then, from somewhere deep inside I felt a tingle, like an electric charge coursing through my body. The feeling moved up along my spine and into my chest, then it exploded in my mind, infusing me with light and energy and a power that was at once alien and innate. I would not have been surprised to see myself aglow like the lights on the monitors. And I knew it meant the same thing: that I was alive and would survive. That never again would I feel alone. What I felt now was something very certain and very real: joy. “Thank you, Lord,” I hear myself say. The words reverberated through me like a kind of healing. I looked at the old woman. She was talking softly, soothingly. I couldn’t understand her words. But I knew she was praying. I must have finally fallen back asleep. When I awoke, it was already Christmas morning. And the elderly woman was gone.
The medical staff was aghast at Sal Trento’s miraculous recovery. The mysterious kindly lady who radiated great calm and kindness brought to him the gift of healing and Sal would forever remember that Christmas Eve when he experienced that he would never again feel alone … when all is joy. Sal Trento’s experience gives us an insight into the ineffable mystery of the visitation of Mary, the Christ bearer, into the house of Elizabeth whose child in her womb leapt for joy when she heard Mary’s greeting.
The authors of the Days of the Lord, vol. 1, comment: “Mary’s voice must have betrayed something extraordinary, causing Elizabeth to be moved by the joy, peace and grace that lit up her young cousin’s face. In any case, at this first moment – Luke insists on this point – Elizabeth perceived that she was in the presence of a great mystery, that Mary bore salvation in her, and that her own joyous greeting was announcing the divine presence … This is truly a charismatic setting. The writing is comparable to those in the Old Testament and in the early years of the Church that described instances of the overflowing of the Holy Spirit. When she heard Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit was moved to prophesy. This passage is essentially theological, and it must be understood in this perspective. It bears upon the relation between the Precursor and the one for whom he would prepare the way. John will speak one day of his joy at having heard the voice of the bridegroom (Jn 3:29). The story of the visitation anticipates this testimony.”
This Sunday’s Old Testament reading from the prophet Micah helps define the character of the child that is in Mary’s womb – the gift of joy of which she is the bearer. Micah foretells of an ideal messianic king who will inaugurate a new era after Israel’s period of exile. The mission of this highly idealized ruler is characterized as a good shepherd who protects his flock and keeps them from being scattered. This new king will be great and he himself will be peace. Prophesying in the late eighth century at about the same time as Isaiah, Micah uttered an oracle that seemed to identify Bethlehem as the city of a yet unborn ruler’s birth. This fascinating oracle contributed to a profound vision of Jesus’ destiny as a ruler. Indeed, Micah’s oracle reinforces the hope that God would make a fresh start by appointing again Bethlehem – the city of King David - as the birthplace of a future king that surpasses all in greatness.
Harold Buetow explains: “In today’s passage, Micah asserts straightforwardly that any hope for the leadership of their people could not come from sophisticated Jerusalem. The people there were too hardened, the kings there had often oppressed the people, and the current kings, Ahaz and Hezekiah, though descendants of King David, were not much. Whatever hope there was would have to come from elsewhere. Micah looked to the small town of Bethlehem, about five miles south of Jerusalem. He called it also Ephrathah (v. 1), because when the Jews had come from Egypt and conquered Canaan, Bethlehem had been settled by the Ephrathah clan of the tribe of Judah. The name Bethlehem itself means house of bread. Its important origins were from ancient times (v. 1) – that is, from the ancient dynasty of Jesse and his son David. Micah saw a ruler coming from this town who would be worthy of David. Just as David had been a shepherd, so too this coming leader. His leadership would be pastoral. But this man would be as unlike the descendants of David as David was. Unlike the weak, vacillating kings then ruling, this man would be firm; unlike their smallness, he would possess a greatness which the whole world would acknowledge.”
From Bethlehem, that is, from the Davidic dynasty would be born the one who is to rule over us all: Jesus the son of David. He is the peace and the joy of all believers. Like Mary, the Christian disciples of today are called to be “christofora” or Christ-bearer. But first, we must let Christ be formed in us.
The writer Caryll Houselander exhorts us: “If Christ is growing in us, if we are at peace, recollected, because we know that however insignificant our life seems to be, from it he is forming himself; if we go with eager will, in haste, to wherever our circumstances compel us, because we believe that he desires to be in that place, we shall find that we are driven more and more to act on that impulse of love … We must be swift to obey the winged impulse of his love, carrying him to wherever he longs to be: and those who recognize his presence will be stirred, like Elizabeth, with new life. They will know his presence, not by any special beauty or power shown by us, but in the way that the bud knows the presence of the light, by the unfolding in themselves, a putting forth of their own beauty.”
PERSONAL REFLECTION
By Rev. Fr. Mike Lastiri
Director of the Office of Worship and Detention Ministries
Diocese of Fresno, CA-U.S.A.
It is so easy to communicate with those we love these days. One can email, and the message is instantly delivered via electronic mail. One can pick up the phone, no matter where we are with cell technology, and be able to speak to anyone anywhere in the world. We fax documents and letters, and the intended recipient quickly receives them. The world has become very small and distance is no longer a challenge to us. Automobiles, trains, airplanes, and fast ships enable us to reach our destinations quickly and safely.
Mary had no such luck in her day. In order to share her good news of bearing a child, she traveled great distances to reach her kinswoman, Elizabeth. There were many emotional feelings going on in Mary as she traveled. Actually, the travel time was probably healthy for her. We know that psychologically, when exercising, our stress level drops considerably. Mary was certainly filled with anxiety about being pregnant. She almost loses Joseph, her intended husband. I am sure that her parents are not sure what to think about being with child, “through the power of the Holy Spirit.” There are many questions, and very few answers. She needs the reassurance of a friend, especially a relative that has been close to her. She needs to clear her head of the fears of not knowing exactly what is to happen to her.
I am amazed at the trust level these women had for each other. I have traveled the Holy Land, and followed the possible trail that Mary would have walked. If she had been suffering any ill effect the pregnancy, the journey would have been difficult. The hill to reach Elizabeth’s house is a steep. I found it taxing, and I wasn’t pregnant. Though she was young, it proves to us the deep love Mary had for Elizabeth; that she could expect love and support, is something Mary needed, and we need as well.
Many of us are fortunate to be surrounded by family and friends who love us, no matter what. Through our trials and tribulations, they stand by us. They positively give witness to the kind of love that God promises. Few of us with all our sins can love God in such generous amounts; imagine how much more God will love us, and be with us, as we journey along the paths of time.
Advent is the season of patient waiting. We are not used to waiting. It is a time to test our faith. We want things now! We want to speak to people now! With all the marvelous technology at our disposal, we find that these technological wonders do not make us any happier. Our troubles are the same. Our fears still control us. Our pain needs healing. We need love and reassurances. We need each other. We need the hugs and words of encouragement that come from those who truly love and care for us. Yet when we wait and take time, we can be more careful with our words and actions. Mary’s walk to Elizabeth’s house was her advent, her patient endurance to weigh what was happening to her.
We need to take time to slow down, cherish the gifts or relationships that God has given us. We need to reflect on how each of those who are special to us represents a spark of God’s love. It is here, that we can look to Mary, and know that she fully understands us, and is always joyful to see us and hear our voices.
II. POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART
How does Micah’s vision of a future ruler in Israel - a great leader who would shepherd his flock – help us appreciate the role of Jesus in salvation history and in our own life? What images are evoked in us by Micah’s reference to Bethlehem, a small and insignificant region in the tribe of Judah?
What insights do we glean from the Gospel episode of Mary’s visitation to her cousin Elizabeth? Do we welcome with joy the presence of Jesus, the gift brought by Mary to others, the gift that she brings into our lives?
Are we swift to obey the winged impulse of Christ’s love, carrying him to wherever he longs to be so that those who recognize his presence will be stirred like Elizabeth, with new life? Like Mary, are we bearers of Christ and carriers of good tidings to a world in need of redemption and healing?
Leader: Father, all-powerful God,
your eternal Word took flesh on our earth
when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan.
Lift our minds in watchful hope
to hear the voice which announces his glory
and open our minds to receive the Spirit
who prepares us for his coming.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Assembly: Amen.
The following is the bread of the living Word that will nourish us throughout the week. Please memorize it.
“You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel.” (Mic 5:1)
V. TOWARDS LIFE TRANSFORMATION
ACTION PLAN: Pray for those who desire to be true “Christ-bearers” in today’s world and for all those who treasure Jesus Christ, “the gift brought to others”? By your spiritual, moral and material help, endeavor to bring the true spirit of Christmas to the victims of natural and man-made calamities, of structuralized violence and human greed, of the tragedy of hunger and destitution, of the violence of terrorism and war, etc.
ACTION PLAN: To help us contemplate more deeply the love of Jesus, “the gift brought to others” by Mary, make an effort to spend an hour in Eucharistic Adoration. Visit the PDDM WEB site (www.pddm.us) for the EUCHARISTIC ADORATION THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR (vol. 3, n. 4): A Weekly Pastoral Tool.
Prepared by Sr. Mary Margaret Tapang PDDM
PIAE DISCIPULAE DIVINI MAGISTRI
SISTER DISCIPLES OF THE DIVINE MASTER
60 Sunset Ave., Staten Island, NY 10314
Tel. (718) 494-8597 // (718) 761-2323
Website: WWW.PDDM.US