Solemnity

Dec 16 2024

Scripture Study for

The created world is beautifully portrayed in today’s reading. There is no cosmic battle here, as is found in some of the other ancient creation myths. There is only one God who effortlessly establishes the entire universe in tranquility and order. There is rejoicing in this created world. God delights in Woman Wisdom; Woman Wisdom rejoices before God. Wisdom also takes delight in the inhabited part of the earth and in the human race. The last verse leaves us on an open threshold, gazing at the universe that unfolds before us, aware that this mysterious primordial figure of Wisdom has a special interest in us.

According to Paul, the justification of the Roman Christians is an accomplished fact. They have already been reconciled with God; their guilt has already been forgiven. Though God is really the author of their justification, it has been accomplished through their faith in Jesus Christ, who through his death and resurrection has reconciled all people with God. Believers still wait in hope for God’s ultimate glory. Here is an example of Paul’s already-but-not-yet thinking about the end times. The Trinitarian nature of Paul’s faith and teaching is clear: Christ brings us to God, and the Spirit comes to us from that same God.

The Gospel explains the relationship between the Father, Jesus, and the Spirit by relating all three to the teaching of Jesus. The Spirit will fill the void caused by Jesus’ absence, not so much with a presence as with a form of teaching. It will be through the unfolding of this teaching that the Spirit will glorify Jesus, and reveal him to be the chosen one of God. It was from the Father that the Spirit heard the teachings of Jesus, and then it was also from the Father that the Spirit was sent to bring these teachings to fruition. The Spirit glorifies Jesus by bringing to light the deeper truth of his teaching, teaching that also belongs to God.

Dec 16 2024

A Comfort and a Challenge

One year I missed celebrating the Ascension. I live in D.C., which celebrates it on a Sunday, but happened to be in New Jersey on that Sunday, where it had already been celebrated the previous Thursday. I really did miss celebrating it. I have come to have a deep love for this feast, finding it both comforting and challenging.

It’s not a feast that brings an end to Jesus’ work. Rather, it marks Jesus’ transition from a limited sphere of activity—preaching, teaching, healing, living, and dying within the geographical space of Israel and its environs two thousand years ago—to the exalted position of being in glory at the Father’s right hand, interceding for us all, with “all things beneath his feet,” having been given “as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way” (Ephesians 1:23). This is a most comforting vision of Jesus and his ongoing role of praying for all creation.

The challenge comes from Luke’s two versions of the Ascension, reminding us that Jesus was not signaling “mission accomplished.” Note how Jesus quickly dismisses the suggestion that now was the time for Israel to be restored to a position of power as in the good old days of King David. Instead, Jesus prepares them for the next phase of God’s plan for the world: working under the power of the Holy Spirit. A great deal of work remains to be done. So . . . don’t stand around looking up. Get moving!

Consider/Discuss

What does it mean to say that Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father?
Are angels whispering for you to “move on” and take up some work that invites your bearing witness to Christ?

Responding to the Word

We thank you, Father, for the assurance that we have One who constantly intercedes for us. We thank you for making us part of your plan as co-workers. Enlighten the eyes of our hearts so we may see where you wish us to go and what you want us to do.

Dec 16 2024

Scripture Study for

The confusion of the apostles provided Jesus the opportunity for one final instruction. He promised them the power of the Spirit to guide them in their endeavors. The cloud that took him from their sight is a traditional symbol of the presence of God. The two men in white garments are reminiscent of the two men at the tomb who announced the Resurrection. Though these men state that Jesus will return as he left them, the symbolic nature of this description prevented the disciples and us from knowing just what that might mean. Along with these disciples, we will have to depend upon the Spirit.

The prayer from Ephesians is for a threefold spiritual enlightenment, an enlightenment of the inner eyes. The petitioner asks that believers might know, 1) the hope of the calling that they have received from God, 2) the riches of the glory of God’s inheritance, and 3) the surpassing greatness of God’s power to those who believe. These marvels have already taken place; it is for the believers to acknowledge them in awe. The view of Christ contained in this passage is quite exalted. Having been raised from the dead, Christ now sits at God’s right hand, high above all of the other heavenly creatures.

In his last instruction to his disciples, Jesus explains how his death and resurrection had been foretold. There can be no question about the veracity of these events. As witnesses to them, the disciples are now to proclaim to all the nations that he did indeed die and rise, that he did preach repentance and forgiveness of sins. This last instruction was meant not only to bring the disciples themselves to Resurrection faith but also to commission them to bring this faith to the world. The actual description of the Ascension is quite brief in this account. There is neither grief nor fear on the part of the disciples. In fact, they return rejoicing and continue worshiping publicly in the temple.

Dec 13 2024

Baptized for Mission

For many people, the end of the Christmas season carries a touch of sadness. Joy gives way to January. The liturgy, however, turns our attention to the work that lies at the heart of the mystery of the Incarnation. This feast of the Lord’s baptism is the final feast of the Christmas season, serving as a bridge from Christmastime to Ordinary Time. It presents Jesus as God’s “beloved Son.” His baptism placed Jesus on the road of his mission: to reveal the Father and to begin to bring about the kingdom of God in the world.

Our first reading helps us understand Jesus’ mission in light of an unknown Old Testament figure called the Servant. The book of the prophet Isaiah contains four poems called the Servant Songs: 42:1–7; 49:1–7; 50:4–11; 52:13–53:12. These songs speak of a servant on whom God has poured God’s spirit to be God’s agent in the world and bring justice to the nations. The Christian community hears these songs in light of Jesus. St. Paul likewise quoted an early hymn (Philippians 2:5–11), singing of Jesus as one who emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming obedient even unto death on a cross.

Our baptism brought us into the Body of Christ, setting us on the path of continuing Jesus’ mission. When the Holy Spirit came upon us, we became God’s beloved children in Christ and the mission of Christ, which is the mission of the church, became our mission.

Consider/Discuss

Do you connect your baptism with your work in the world?
What can you do, as part of the church, to bring God’s justice to the world?

Responding to the Word

Good Father, you have sent the Holy Spirit upon your people to serve the world by working to bring about the victory of justice. Give us the strength to persevere in this work and do not allow our zeal to break any bruised reed or quench any smoldering wick. Let us do our work in gentleness, kindness, and peace.

Dec 13 2024

Scripture Study for

The passage from Isaiah, known as one of the Servant Songs, describes a mysterious figure who acts as a pious agent of God’s compassionate care. The servant in this song has received the spirit of the Lord in order to bring forth justice to the nations. This justice is not harsh and exacting, but gentle and understanding, a source of consolation. The servant is also called by God to be a light to the nations. This passage describes the deliverance of the whole world, not simply the rescue of Israel from its particular bondage. The universalism here cannot be denied.

Cornelius was a recently converted Roman centurion. Normally, an observant Jew like Peter would not enter the home of a Gentile. It was a newly gained insight from God that changed Peter’s view of those who did not have Jewish ancestry. He realized that “God shows no partiality.” All are acceptable to God, Jew and Gentile alike. Peter, who knew the historical Jesus intimately and should have understood the implications of the message that he preached and the example that he gave, did not at first understand the radical nature of this gospel. But now he could testify that it is truly “good news of peace.”

Lest the people mistake him for the Christ, John contrasts his ministry with that of Jesus. John’s baptism with water was a ritual of repentance and cleansing; the Christ’s baptism of the Spirit and fire will transform and purge. John further admits that the Christ is far superior to him. He insists that he is not worthy to undo the sandals of that long-awaited one. Still Jesus submitted himself to John’s baptism. The voice from heaven and the descent of the Spirit confirm Jesus’ unique identity. This episode has been considered by many as the event of divine commissioning of Jesus. As God’s beloved Son he will baptize with the Spirit, thus bringing about the regeneration of the world.