Word to the Wise
Wednesday, January 24, 2018 - Wednesday in the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time
[2 Sam 7:4-17 and Mark 4:1-20]WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018 ST. FRANCIS DE SALES [2 Samuel 7:4-17 and Mark 4:1-20] "The Lord also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you. And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his Kingdom firm. It is he who shall build s house for my name. And I will make his royal throne firm forever. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me." [2 Samuel] These words from the Second Book of Samuel would have a great influence on New Testament reflection about Jesus. All that we read in the infancy narratives of the Gospels According to Matthew and Luke, in which the figure of David features prominently as Jesus' ancestor, are influenced by the promise that God makes to King David through the prophet Nathan. This long historical narrative not only pushes back into the mists of Israel, united under David, but pushes forward as a credential to Jesus' identity. He is not only Son of David, he is Son of God. Our reflections on Jesus can be deeply enriched by our knowledge of how the New Testament writers relied on the Hebrew Scriptures in their understanding of Jesus' life and ministry. A good study Bible can help us with this. We will learn that when a beggar calls out, "Son of David," the gospel author is not using a superficial title. It is a challenge to learn more and understand the Lord whose life saved ours. AMEN