Word to the Wise
Wednesday, January 24, 2024 - Wednesday in the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time
[2 Sam 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 a 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.....Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever. [2 Samuel]
JANUARY 24 ST. FRANCIS DE SALES [Bishop and Doctor of the Church]
Although these words from the vision of the prophet Nathan were intended for King David and refer to the son he would have through his relationship with Bathsheba - Solomon - they would have considerable influence on early Christian preaching [Hebrews 1:5]. The early community would see this "dynastic oracle" as a foreseeing of Jesus, a descendant of David. The problem for some of the Jewish listeners of Jesus' time is that Jesus did not appear to be very "kingly," as they expected. Jesus resisted the idea of his being a "king." His mission had nothing to do with political power, although his message can be a threat to oppressive and greedy politicians and rulers. One of the charges brought against Jesus before Pilate was that he was making himself a king in opposition to Caesar.
Although we celebrate a big feast day at the end of liturgical "Ordinary Time" entitled, briefly, "Christ the King," this is intended to show that he transcends any earthly power. Nathan's vision can remind us of the eternity of Jesus' reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit. The temple which Nathan refers to would be the temple of each believer, as St. Paul would preach. [1 Cor. 6:19]
The Old Testament is not simply ancient history. It is part of the Word of God that reaches over the centuries to enlighten our faith and understanding of God's plan of salvation. AMEN
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