Daily Reflection – Dec 24, 2015
Thursday 24 December 2015
First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16
Psalm Response:
For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord
Psalm 88(89):2-5, 27, 29
Gospel Reading: Luke 1:67-79
Today’s Note: Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent. Christmas Eve
Gospel Reading:
Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
for he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty Savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hand of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Reflection:
“The appointed time has come! God has sent God’s own son into the world!” All the promises, made to Abraham, Moses, David, made by all the prophets, are now made full! God’s mercy and faithfulness are clothed with flesh, the dust of yesterday’s O antiphon, and fashioned into a baby. God lavishes all that God is on this child and on his mother. They put no block to God’s generous outpouring. They are light for the world.
Christmas is a time for homecomings for many. Family members gather to share in the Christmas food and cheer. Yet there are many others for whom no such homecoming exists. We sing, “the weary world rejoices.” Feel your own weariness, sadness, discouragement, burdens both physical and emotional. The loss or absence of a geographical home is a great gap in the lives of a human person. Indeed, such an absence tears at the hearts of many.
Ask God to send the light into your heart, mind and body so that your own weary world might rest and rejoice. Pray for those who are alone in their pain and loneliness..
The readings for this Christmas Eve may provide a word of comfort: that the God who created them also did not have a geographical abode. This person who lacked stability, solidarity and identity, actually became the source of all three to the people of Israel, and then to the Church. The readings remind us that the person of God is the source of all gifts. Moreover, the psalms are a powerful reminder that, as wonderful as God’s gifts to us are, it is in belonging to the person of God and his soon to be incarnate Son, that we find our stability, our solidarity and our identity.
“O come, radiant dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice, and shine on those lost in the darkness of death.” Only you can bring them hope and joy. You are the savior of the world!
