Ken Overberg, S.J.
Fourth
Sunday of Advent, Dec 21, 2008
In order to hear accurately today’s gospel, the Annunciation, and the coming
Christmas stories, it would be helpful to remember that the gospels are faith
proclamations, shaped by the disciples’ experience of the risen Jesus. The
gospels are not biographies or exact history, as we understand history today.
In
pondering the infancy narratives, we must look to their theological meaning and
not the details, even though the details have been emphasized in song and stable
and can easily capture our imaginations. Actually these details vary
greatly between the only two gospels that describe Jesus’ birth, Matthew and
Luke.
The
purpose of the Christmas story, then, is to proclaim Jesus’ identity as Son of
David and Son of God. As Son (descendant) of David, Jesus is the
fulfillment of the Jewish messianic hope. As Son of God, Jesus “embodies
that divine grace which always goes beyond expectation”! (See Raymond Brown, A
Coming Christ in Advent, p. 15)
The
infancy narratives also establish a bridge between the Hebrew Scriptures and
Jesus’ public ministry. Indeed, both evangelists mine the Old Testament
to flesh out the stories they wrote about Jesus’ birth. Joseph the man
of dreams, Mary’s inspiring Magnificat, and many other pieces are
rooted in the Jewish Scriptures. The truth of the stories is found at the
depths of the faith proclamation. The gospel for Christmas day offers us the
heart of this mysterious truth: In the beginning was the Word and the Word
was God and the Word became flesh and pitched his tent among us. The
gospel for this Fourth Sunday of Advent proclaims part of that remarkable story.
Today’s
first reading from the Second Book of Samuel is a very important theological
text, expressing the conviction that God’s faithful love will be with
David’s dynasty forever. This provides the foundation for a royal
theology—that the king was God’s representative in bringing Israel
prosperity. It also provides the basis for the hope of a messiah who would
be a descendant of David. Early followers of Jesus proclaimed Jesus as the
fulfillment of this hope.
The
passage from Paul’s letter to the Romans is a short hymn of praise. The
“revelation of the mystery” (v. 25) speaks of the Incarnation and the good
news that Jesus brings abundant life for all peoples, Jews and Gentiles.
Let’s
listen to God’s word, letting the stories lead us into this gracious Mystery!
*************
Advent
is an amazing season of grace. Unfortunately it always comes at the wrong time
of the year. This season of expectant hope and quiet reflection is jarred
by shopping and holiday preparations, by end-of-semester exams and grades, by
ever-present consumerism even in an economic crisis.
Perhaps
today or in this short fourth week of Advent, we will make time to ponder and
pray, returning to the Scriptures of these four weeks. For during this
Advent we have met a rich variety of our ancestors in the faith. In
different times and situations, they trusted and proclaimed God’s steadfast
love. David in a time of peace, Second Isaiah in exile, Third Isaiah in desolate
Jerusalem, John the Baptizer in the desert, Paul in urban centers of the empire,
Mary and Joseph in confusion and wonder.
Their
experiences are now our experiences—as individuals and community, as nation
and world, we too encounter dysfunction and death, reconciliation and new
dreams. Their word about God’s faithful love can still speak to us,
inviting us to persevere as prophetic witnesses, to live in joy and hope, to
embrace Holy Mystery. Pick a person or passage that is especially
appropriate for you.
This
Advent how is God inviting you to new life? How will you respond?
(For detailed reflections on all the readings of Advent 2008—Year B—see
Arthur J. Dewey, “Proclamation 6: Interpreting the Lessons of the Church
Year, Series B, Advent/Christmas,” Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1996.)