The Nativity of the Lord - Mass During the Day

Dec 13 2024

Reflection-God’s Word Made Flesh

Some friends living in Kingston, New York used to see their grandchildren only when they traveled down to Virginia or over to Connecticut. These visits were occasional, but nowhere near the frequency that doting grandparents desired. What a blessing Skype has become for them, allowing them to visit not only by voice, but by sight. Yet there is one thing better: being there in the flesh.

Today’s readings give us a glimpse into the heart of God and God’s desire to be with us “in the flesh”; they signal how great God’s love was from the start. God’s word first brought creation into being. Then God’s word entered into a relationship, first with Noah, then with Abraham, and then with Moses and the people of Israel. God’s word invited them into an intimate relationship called a covenant. And God kept calling them back again and again from infidelity into intimacy through the words of the prophets.

But all this was not enough. As the author of Hebrews reminds us, “In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son . . . “ (1:1). God said, “Jesus.” And in the eagle-soaring words of the John’s Gospel: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son full of grace and truth.” Beyond only seeing him, the text then proclaims: “From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace.”

Consider/Discuss

What do you need this year to absorb more deeply the mystery of the birth of Jesus, the Son of God, the Word made flesh, and what it means for you?
What do you need this year to absorb more deeply the mystery of the birth of Jesus, the Son of God, the Word made flesh, and what it means for our world?
Could it be silence? Time for prayer? Talking about this with another person of faith?

Responding to the Word

God of creation, God of compassion, God of all beginnings, help us to begin anew to enter into the mystery of your Word become flesh that this event might penetrate our minds and hearts and transform our lives not only during this season, but for the coming new year of grace.

Dec 13 2024

God’s Word Made Flesh

Isaiah announces the good news of salvation in various ways. First, the moment of proclamation resembles a messenger who swiftly runs to announce that exile and displacement are over. Zion’s God has been victorious over their enemies and is coming to dwell among the people. In a second picture, the arm of God is bared, revealing the source of the divine power. This demonstration of strength reminds the people of the might of their protector. Just as the messenger heralds peace and salvation to Zion, so the deliverance of the city heralds the mighty power of God to the ends of the earth.

The passage from Hebrews acclaims Christ as the agent of revelation, creation, and salvation. As a reflection of God’s glory and an exact representation of God’s being, Christ could rightly be called the revelation of God. As Son of God, Christ is the heir of all things and the agent through whom the world was made and through whom it continues to be sustained. Besides preeminence, this assertion suggests preexistence. Since it was through Wisdom that God created, and Wisdom is the pure emanation of the glory of God, the author concludes that Christ is also the Wisdom of God.

The Gospel of John characterizes Christ as the preexistent Word. Furthermore, like Wisdom, the Word was actively involved in creation. Finally, the Word is the true light that comes into the world. This Word resided in some primordial place, but now has entered human history. Though several translations state that the Word “made his dwelling among us,” a better reading of the Greek might be “tented.” It calls to mind the tabernacle in the wilderness where God dwelt or tented among the people (Exodus 40:34) as well as the tradition about Wisdom establishing her tent in the midst of the people (Sirach 24:8). The Word of God, who is also the holiness and the wisdom of God, now dwells in our midst.

Dec 09 2024

Reflection-Wow, God! Thanks!

The dark night has become day. The rescue has come. God has lifted our sorrows. Have you seen it? A man emerges from the doors of the hospital when his family thought that they’d never see him again. Have you felt it? A woman hugs her son, whom she thought was lost, but here he is! Do you know that jubilation, that moment when light rises out of darkness? A little girl, who thought that she was going to drown, finds herself safely on the shore. Have you ever been so low that rescue feels so good? The night has passed! This is the day!

Isaiah describes the Israelites returning home from Babylon: their eyes brim with tears, seeing through prisms of joy, wondering at a deliverance so profound and so unexpected. O God, thank you!

Has this wonderment been part of your life, too? Not just any joy, but the gut-level amazement at having been rescued? “Break out together in song, O ruins of Jerusalem,” Isaiah sings. The deliverance has come. “Shout with joy!” today’s psalmist says.

I love to look at the stars at night, even in winter. It’s so dark, as only winter can be dark. The constellation Orion glitters in the south. The Big Dipper shines in the north. The air smelled crisp with cold. A sense of wonder crept into my heart and shivered in my spine. It was Christmas Eve. The people who lived in darkness have seen a great light. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

This morning, the sun is up. Christmas is here. There is food to be cooked. There are people to see. The wonder of night has turned to the miracle of day. Baby Jesus has come. It is Christmas! “Joy to the world, the Lord has come!”

Consider/Discuss

Look at the joyous events of your life—the holy births, the sacred deaths, the healings, and the reconciliations. Since your experience of Christmas last year, how have you experienced light coming out of darkness? How has God lifted you? On this Christmas day, what does rescue mean to you and those whom you love? For what do you give thanks?
In the midst of this Christmas day, find a moment to cultivate a sense of wonder at the beauty of creation—look, just look! The people, the sun, the babies, the snow, the Christmas tree, and the clouds—how does God sing to you through the world around you, saying, “Look, I am here!” After one minute of savoring creation, pray this simple prayer: “Wow, God! Thanks!”

Living and Praying with the Word

Take time to wonder? Lord, that’s not very grown up. I gave that up when I became an adult. You have to get real. Do important things. I don’t have time for awe. I don’t have time to spend in wonderment. That’s just “fluffy” and I am not fluffy. What’s that you say? It is Christmas? Well, yes, it is. Be childlike, just this one day, and spend time in amazement? Allow you to fan the flame of wonder within me? For one minute? Well, okay, if you say so. Hey, um, yeah, by the way . . . Wow. Thanks!

Dec 09 2024

Wow, God. Thanks!

The oracle of salvation in Isaiah stems from the late exilic period, which the prophet announces is coming to an end. This part of Isaiah makes clear that many in Babylon were doubtful either of God’s intentions toward Israel or God’s ability to achieve those intentions. Thus the prophet assures the people that God is indeed announcing the “glad tidings” (in Greek euangelion) that God is the sovereign King, and thus able to carry out the divine will. In fact, “sentinels” can already see that God is doing this by restoring Jerusalem and bringing the people back. As God’s holy city, and something of a representative of God’s people, the restoration of Jerusalem is in fact the restoration of God’s people.

The Letter to the Hebrews opens with a majestic announcement that, after centuries of partial and imperfect revelation, God has at last been perfectly revealed in the Son. Drawing on later, Greek-inflected theology of the book of Wisdom (7:23–27), the author describes Jesus Christ as the perfect reflection of the divine glory and power through whom all things were created, and which sustains them in being. This Son, although far above all natural and supernatural creatures, nevertheless took on human flesh and offered himself once and for all for the sins of humanity. Thus in the perfection of God’s revelation we see the extent of God’s gracious will for the salvation of all.

The Prologue to John’s Gospel focuses not just on the person of Jesus Christ, but also on the significance of his coming into the world. Jesus himself, as God, is the source of everything in creation; nothing exists apart from him and thus everything is “his own.” Yet not everyone will welcome the one who brings light and life. Already at the beginning of this Gospel we encounter the gracious will of God for the world (3:16), but also the darkness that the Light will encounter when he comes. John challenges the readers of his Gospel to decide whether or not they will accept the “grace and truth” offered or remain in the dark.

Nov 06 2024

Reflecting on Christmas

It is Christmas Day! The long night of Mary’s labor is over. The holy night when the angels sang has turned to day. The sun has risen. Jesus is here! Red and wrinkled, the baby rests in Mary’s arms. Joseph gazes at the boy’s little fingernails as Mary sleeps. Even the cave where the animals are stabled begins to brighten and warm. Time stands still. The everlasting Word has become flesh and dwells among us. He is here. He is now.

What happens when a newborn arrives? The hours after birth, if not interrupted by emergencies, are a time to gaze. A first-time mother can’t quite believe that her enormous belly is now that tiny child; two eyes, that nose, and “look at his hair!” A father gets shaky inside at how protective he feels when he looks at this little one. Someone exclaims, “Oh, look, he’s got the family chin!” Words feel trivial, unable to capture the amazement. Time stands still.

And then something happens. Time begins anew. Inside of each of these “watchers,” a miracle rises up. Little by little, those who look upon the helpless creature are changed by their gazing. They begin to fall in love. Warmth spreads in the chest. Tears of joy run down the cheeks. Wonder overwhelms the mind. This child is here. This child is now. Can you feel it?

Christmas Day is a moment for gazing. Christmas Day is a time to look at Baby Jesus, the Word who became flesh and who dwells among us. In the manger, in the Eucharist, in moments of prayer, in the bond of family and friends, in service to the community: Look! Jesus is here! Let the tears of joy run down your cheeks. Jesus is here!

Consider/Discuss

The experience of today’s Christmas may be joyous. Or it may be difficult. How is God with you on this day? How is the Word taking flesh and dwelling with you today?
Think back to your most tender, most loving Christmas. What comes to mind? What was it that warmed your heart? How can that memory transform your experience today?

Living and Praying with the Word

Emmanuel, God who is with us, sometimes there is nothing to say. Today is your Christmas. Allow me to have some quiet time just to gaze at you, the newborn in the manger, the Word become flesh. Holy Spirit, come and fill the quiet of my gaze with the strength of your love. You may warm my heart. You may overwhelm my brain. You may send tears of joy down my cheeks. Give me the grace just to sit here and gaze at you with love.