Word to the Wise
Sunday, December 23, 2018 - 4th Sunday of Advent - C
[Mic 5:1-4a; Heb 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45]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.... [Micah]
Amidst the joy and affection expressed in the meeting of Mary and Elizabeth in the gospel scripture for today, [cf. Friday, Dec. 21 reflection] there are a couple of sober hints today about the future. The prophecy of Micah will figure in the story of the Magi in the Gospel According to Matthew. When they show up asking about the "newborn King of the Jews," Herod consults the scribes and chief priests who quote the passage from Micah about Bethlehem! [Mt. 2:1-6]This leads to the flight into Egypt and the infamous slaughter of the innocents which will be remembered next Friday.
The second scripture today speaks of "the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." In the midst of birth and new life, death can cast a shadow. This is a reminder that both Matthew and Luke composed their "infancy narratives" in the light of what would come later. There is a big picture to keep in mind. The fulfillment of the promise that Elizabeth speaks of to Mary and what Mary sings of in the Magnificat is a double-edged sword, as Simeon will predict in the temple later on. [Luke 2:35]
But as any parent knows, the fact that the child knows the end of the story means nothing. The story has to be told in its completeness and nothing left out, including the happiness of the story of Jesus' birth and the sadness of his death and the joy of his resurrection. At the moment, we are at the beginning of the story, so we can enjoy it fully and leave nothing out! AMEN