Dec 17, 2012
Micah 5:1-4 | Psalm 80:2-3,15-16,18-19 |
Hebrews 5:5-10 | Luke
1:39-45
On this last Sunday before Christmas, the Church's Liturgy reveals
the true identity of our Redeemer:
He is, as today's First Reading says, the "ruler...whose origin is
from...ancient times." He will come from Bethlehem, where David was
born of Jesse the Ephrathite and anointed king (see Ruth
4:11-17; 1
Samuel 16:1-13; 17:1;
Matthew
2:6).
God promised that an heir of David would reign on his throne
forever (see
2 Samuel 7:12-13; Psalm
89;
Psalm 132:11-12).
Jesus is that heir, the One the prophets promised would restore the
scattered tribes of Israel into a new kingdom (see Isaiah
9:5-6;
Ezekiel 34:23-25,30;
37:35). He is "the shepherd of Israel," sung of in
today's Psalm. From His throne in heaven, He has "come to save
us."
Today's Epistle tells us that He is both the Son of David and the
only "begotten" Son of God, come "in the flesh" (see also Psalm
2:7). He is also our "high priest," from the mold of the
mysterious Melchisedek, "priest of God Most High," who blessed
Abraham at the dawn of salvation history (see Psalm
110:4;
Genesis 14:18-20).
All this is recognized by John when he leaps for joy in his
mother's womb. Elizabeth, too, is filled with joy and the Holy
Spirit. She recognizes that in Mary "the mother of my Lord" has
come to her. We hear in her words another echo of the Psalm quoted
in today's Epistle (see Psalm
2:7). Elizabeth blesses Mary for her faith that God's
Word would be fulfilled in her.
Mary marks the fulfillment not only of the angel's promise to her,
but of all God's promises down through history. Mary is the one
they await in today's First Reading - "she who is to give birth."
She will give birth this week, at Christmas. And the fruit of her
womb should bring us joy - she is the mother of our
Lord.