Dianne Bergant, C.S.A.

Dec 13 2024

Scripture Study for

According to Isaiah, the vindication that is in store for Jerusalem is more than a restoration. The city is promised a new name, and this implies a new creation. One of the best ways of portraying God’s passionate love and the depths of the intimacy that God desires is with marriage imagery. Within the context of such intimacy, the consequence of betrayal of God’s love is characterized as “forsaken” or “barren.” The people who were once forsaken are now the delight of the Lord; the land that once was barren is now newly espoused.

Paul launches into a discourse on the varieties of functions within the Christian community. He speaks of gifts, ministries, and works. “Gifts” here refers to operations of the Spirit, notably speaking in tongues and prophesying, gifts that were usually operative during worship. Ministry was service within the community. Works were feats of great energy or divine power. Since all of these gifts or ministries or works were manifestations of the Spirit, no one was to be considered superior to another. Further, they were not given for the self-aggrandizement of the one who received them. All were given for the benefit of the entire community.

According to John, Jesus’ hour is the time when he will be manifested in all his glory. The culmination of this hour will take place when he is lifted up on the cross. However, throughout his ministry there will be times when aspects of this glory will be manifested. The miracle of changing water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana is one such time. The miracles of Jesus were never mere exhibitions of supernatural power. They were always revelations of the inbreaking of the reign of God. Evidently the hour of his glorification had arrived. In this first sign, Jesus transformed a Jewish ceremonial into a celebration for the end of time. His glory was manifested to his disciples and they believed in him. The establishment of the reign of God had begun.

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.

Dec 13 2024

Scripture Study for

The city of Jerusalem is told to “Arise!” “Shine!” The illumination into which it emerges is the very light of God; it is the glory of the Lord. Jerusalem is not only delivered from its misfortune by God, it is re-established as a thriving city. Its dispersed inhabitants return, its destroyed reputation is restored, and its despoiled prosperity is reconstituted. This is not a promise to be fulfilled in the future; Jerusalem’s salvation is an accomplished fact. It is happening before its very eyes. The wealth from land and sea pours into the city. Such good fortune is evidence of God’s favor.

Paul tells the Ephesians that in Christ the Gentiles are co-heirs, co-members and co-partners with the Jews. Since what qualifies one as an heir is life in the Spirit of Christ and not natural generation into a particular national group, there is no obstacle in the path of Gentile incorporation. The body to which all belong is the body of Christ, not the bloodline of Abraham. The promise in Paul’s preaching is the promise of universal salvation through Christ, not that of descendants and prosperity in a particular land. This is a radical insight for a church with Jewish roots and traditions.

The three kings or wise men were probably astrologers who studied the heavenly bodies. Since they believed that astral marvels frequently accompanied the birth of great kings, it is understandable that they would go straight to the Judean king. Lest we think the story is a fanciful fabrication, the Gospel writer situates the events squarely in time and place: the reign of Herod, Bethlehem and Jerusalem.

The astrologers read the astral signs, they recognized the true identity of the child, and they understood a message in a dream that told them to return home another way. Their openness brought them to the child, and they did not go away disappointed. This child draws Jew and Gentile alike.

Dec 13 2024

Scripture Study for

The blessing found in the reading from Numbers is one of the oldest pieces of poetry in the Bible. It is introduced by a statement that gives the content of the blessing both Mosaic and divine legitimacy. To know God’s personal name, YHWH, presumes a kind of intimacy. The blessing itself is crisp and direct. Each line invokes a personal divine action: that God bless with good fortune and keep from harm, look favorably toward and be gracious, look upon and grant peace. Though these invocations might be realized in different things for different people at different times, they all ask for peace.

According to Paul, the goal of Christ’s mission was to transform the Galatians from being slaves under the law to being adopted children of God. His attitude toward the law is not as negative as it appears at first glance. Here it is a necessary guardian that carefully watches over minors until they are mature enough to take care of themselves. Though the law is inferior to the Spirit of Christ, it is faithful and trustworthy. However, once the Spirit takes hold of the believer, dependence on the law ends and freedom in the Spirit, the rightful inheritance of the children of God, begins.

The Gospel reading is the same as that of the Christmas Mass at Dawn. However, the circumcision and naming of Jesus are included here. This slight difference shifts the focus of the passage away from the shepherds to the child and his parents. As observant Jews, Mary and Joseph fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law; the child was circumcised as custom dictated. Besides being circumcised, the child was given the name earlier told to Mary, the name Jesus, which means “savior.” Now almost everything that the angel had announced has come to pass. Mary will have to wait to see how he will acquire the throne of his father David and rule the house of Jacob forever.

Dec 13 2024

Scripture Study for

Sirach’s instruction on family living provides a glimpse into a way of life that brought happiness in the past. It is meant to encourage similar behavior that will bring the same happiness in the present and the future. Its focus is the respect and obedience that children (both sons and daughters) owe their parents (both mother and father). The final verses exhort the adult son to care for his father in his declining years. The picture portrayed is quite moving. Like all biblical teaching, this instruction on respect and care for one’s parents is intended for the adult child, not a minor.

The Colossians are told that they are God’s chosen, holy, and beloved people. Therefore, they should act accordingly. All the virtues they are called to live out are relational. Directed toward others, they require unselfish sensitivity. The motivation for such self-sacrifice is the forgiveness that the Christians themselves have received from God. The list continues with an admonition to love, the highest of all virtues. The peace of Christ, which is placed before them, is an inner peace that comes from a right relationship with God and therefore true harmony with others.

Today’s Gospel reading provides us with the only glimpse we have into the early years of Jesus. While the key element in the passage is the Christological self-declaration of the young Jesus, the context of the account depicts a very religious family unit and an equally submissive son. Although a popular tradition (found in some religious art) suggests that Jesus was teaching in the temple, the text does not state this. He was merely part of the exchange of ideas. There is no conflict between Jesus’ responsibilities of sonship in his relationship with Joseph and Sonship in his union with God, for he is faithful to both. Approaching adulthood, he assumes a public role; after his striking appearance in the temple, he returns to a life of obedience to his parents.