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Home  / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2008 /  God's gift, challenge and ministry for us is our family

by Fr. Richard C. Macey special to The Michigan Catholic
Published December 19, 2008

This is also the usual day for remembering the Holy Innocents, the children who died by the command of King Herod, who was jealous at the announcement of the birth of a king.

First Reading: Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3 (alternate reading: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14)

The first promise of God in the covenant with Abraham – and all His people – was the promise of progeny, new generations. The second promise of land will follow immediately after these opening verses (Genesis 15:7-21). This chapter is the heart of the Abrahamic narrative. It gave a root and identity to the following history of Israel as a people and as a nation.

Abraham is described as righteous/just, because he "put his faith in the Lord." The only assurance he had was the word of God. Several chapters later, the closing verses of today's reading announced the fulfillment of that promise with the birth of Isaac. The verses in the text that follow these will describe the circumcision of the child, as a remembrance and confirmation of the promise.

The Lord told Abram (later called Abraham) to "look up at the sky and count the stars …" This idea is expressed elsewhere only in Isaiah 40:26. It pays attention to the power of God the creator.

Second Reading: Hebrews 11:8, 11-12,17-19 (alternate reading: Colossians 3:12-21 or short form Colossians 3:12-17)

This chapter begins with the best definition or description of faith in the Scriptures: "Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen." Then the author uses examples of people from the Old Testament, especially the faith that had been demonstrated in the life of Abraham. Abraham attested to the meaning of the Shema, the prayer which is echoed five times each day by observing Jews today: "Hear, O Israel …" (Deuteronomy. 6:4). The word of God becomes action in the lives of believers, who hear and obey.

The author gives a message of encouragement to the readers and hearers of his work by bearing witness to the vindication of the faith of Abraham who faced a severe test, just as the early Church was tested by persecution and doubt. Twice, he writes that Abraham "offered up Isaac … (was) ready to offer his only son." The unthinkable request is emphasized in Genesis 22:2 also with a threefold reference to his son. The comment that "God was able to raise even from the dead" encouraged the faith of believers, who had to face martyrdom. The word "symbol," the same word for "parable," emphasizes the promise of resurrection for the faithful.

Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 (short form: Luke 2:22, 39-40)

The ritual of purification is specified in the Law, Leviticus 12:6-8. The actual offering is not described, since the miraculous birth of Jesus did not require it. The quotation from the Law describes the sacrifice offered for a poor family, who could not afford a lamb. Also, the coming "up to Jerusalem" reflects the journey to Jerusalem by Jesus as an adult, when He will be the one to purify the Temple in Luke 19:45-46 and redeem the sins of all by His death in the City.

Luke gives a literary balance to his Infancy Narrative. Just as there was a man and a woman who received the announcement of the birth of a son (Zechariah and Mary), so there is a man and a woman (Simeon and Anna) who recognize the identity of the infant, Jesus, and His role in salvation history. (One exegete finds 13 man-woman parallels in this Gospel.) Anna is said to be from the northern tribes, thus representing the reunion of God's people, a vision and hope that was frequently expressed in prophetic literature.

The presence of Simeon and Anna in the narrative is bracketed by the phrases: "awaiting the consolation of Israel … awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem." The threefold mention of "the Spirit," prior to the canticle of Simeon, suggests prophetic activity. The two witnesses confirm the truth to which they attest. There are echoes of Old Testament events and prophecy in this narrative (the offering of the prophet Samuel and the prophecies of Isaiah and Micah), although the evangelist does not explicitly refer to a specific prophecy.

The events of the Infancy Narratives in both Luke and Matthew are not recalled during the adult ministry of Jesus. However, the narratives present themes, which will emerge and develop later in the Gospel. The Gentiles and "your people Israel" are mentioned in parallel in the canticle, thus anticipating the presence of non-Jews in the ministry of Jesus in the body of the Gospel.

In my first assignment, we had our own Candle Annie, who took care of the church. Candle Annie always was cheerful and praying, when she wasn't replacing the burned out candles in the stands or just tidying up the church. You could count on her being there. She greeted the people who came, helped them find lighting sticks for the candles or gave them a bulletin with the announcements for the week. I have noticed that in most parishes to which I have been assigned, there is someone like her, who is ready to welcome the holy family of God as we enter His dwelling place. Fr. Richard C. Macey is pastor of Our Lady of the Woods Parish, Woodhaven.