From The American Bible Society:
December 25, 2011
Christmas
This is a reminder to continue in your daily Lectio Divina Scripture reading. We’ve included the content again for you, to make it easier for you to continue to engage with God’s Word.
THE WORD BECAME FLESH
John 1:1-18 (Good News Translation)
1 In the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 From the very beginning the Word was with God. 3 Through him God made all things; not one thing in all creation was made without him. 4 The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light to people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out. 6 God sent his messenger, a man named John, 7 who came to tell people about the light, so that all should hear the message and believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came to tell about the light. 9 This was the real light—the light that comes into the world and shines on all people. 10 The Word was in the world, and though God made the world through him, yet the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to his own country, but his own people did not receive him. 12 Some, however, did receive him and believed in him; so he gave them the right to become God's children. 13 They did not become God's children by natural means, that is, by being born as the children of a human father; God himself was their Father. 14 The Word became a human being and, full of grace and truth, lived among us. We saw his glory, the glory which he received as the Father's only Son. 15 John spoke about him. He cried out, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, “He comes after me, but he is greater than I am, because he existed before I was born.” ” 16 Out of the fullness of his grace he has blessed us all, giving us one blessing after another. 17 God gave the Law through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is the same as God and is at the Father's side, he has made him known.
Other Readings: Vigil Mass: Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 89:4-5, 16-17, 22, 29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Matthew 1:1-25. ; Mass at Midnight: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14. ; Mass at Dawn: Isaiah 62:11-12; Psalm 97:1, 2, 11-12; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:15-20. ; Mass during the Day: Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1-18;
Lectio
As you see in the section “Other Readings,” Christmas, together with the Easter Vigil, is the liturgical celebration with the largest number of passages from the Bible. In fact, there are four different sets of readings for the masses of this day: Vigil, Midnight, Dawn and Day. They total sixteen readings: four from the Old Testament (Isaiah in all cases), with their own responsorial Psalms; and eight from the New Testament (Acts, Titus and Hebrews; Matthew, Luke and John). We are offered a full gamut of biblical texts to explain an incredible event which, paradoxically, could be summarized in a single, four word sentence: THE WORD BECAME FLESH. Taking this into account, the question is simple: how can we approach our Lectio Divina today? The simplest thing would be to abandon for a time our traditional routine and recur to the Bible or to a mass book, browse through its pages, stop here and there and, led by the Spirit, follow our own inspiration. If we opt for the mass book, the prayers used in those masses could also give us some hints as to the way in which the liturgy approaches and understands the Scripture, something we have not done up to now. Perhaps we could focus our attention on some of the many motifs we can find in those readings. Although we could do this in many different ways, I have humbly chosen a number of those motifs in today’s liturgy and sorted them into three dimensions: ours is a God who communicates; who transforms the world under the sign of his blessings; and who comes to us hidden in the humblest and most unpredictable ways. Our God is not an isolated outsider, an alien, but someone who communicates with humankind. In the past, God accomplished this by means of the Patriarchs and Prophets, but “in these last days, he has spoken to us through his Son” (Hebrews 1:2). And it has not been by means of a “vision,” a humanlike apparition, but by means of our own “flesh.” In that sense, the first witnesses of God’s presence are those who “have heard it, have seen it, [whose] hands have touched it” (1 John 1:1), and have passed down to us their saving experience, making us able to share in his closeness. God transforms reality under the sign of his blessings. He brings us from darkness to light; from slavery to freedom; from despair to hope and joy; from mortality to eternal life; from sin and guilt to justification, forgiveness and grace. God’s presence makes us approach life in hope, and invites us to transform reality so as to make the world reflect his designs: no more burdens or yokes, no more warfare or abandonment, no more isolation or hatred. God acts, arrives and communicates in the most unexpected ways. Not in the power of weapons or armies, nor in the insolence of the mighty rulers of this world, nor in the proud self satisfaction of the wise and respected. He comes in weakness and poverty. He becomes a small child born in the direst conditions, not in the palace of a king. He manifests himself to lowly shepherds and foreigners. He can be discovered wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. He is no longer in the dark cloud, thunder and lightning, or the trumpet blast of Mount Sinai, but in the humble and frail condition of a newborn baby, in the silence of the night. Having those motifs in mind, we may say that the classical dictum, THE WORD BECAME FLESH, is the key to understand life from a new, radical Christian perspective. To such an extent has God identified with our humanity, that “flesh,” our human nature, has become the “sacrament” of God’s presence in history and in our common existence. And it is there that he must be encountered.
Meditatio
During this time of Christmas, we run the risk of being driven away from the real religious content of our Christian celebration. The joyful music of our carols can become a loud noise which prevents us from listening to the whisper of God’s Word becoming flesh in the form of a baby. The sparkling décor in our streets and homes can dazzle us and fade the real Light of the world. Shopping for presents for those we love can make us forget the great gift of God, his own Son. Reflect on these possibilities, and see in which way you can make your “spirit of Christmas” deeper and more fruitful for you and those around you.
Oratio
Today, early in the morning, before you start your activity, take a few minutes and bring to mind those who, on this date, will be going through the same situations Jesus faced: babies born in poverty, sickness, exile or abandonment; parents who cannot offer their children even basic things like food, shelter, education, or medical care. Bring their needs to the Lord, and pray especially for those who suffer from hunger, sickness, loneliness, are in prison or have feelings of guilt, that they can also share in God’s blessings. And, of course, be aware of all the gifts you have received from God, and give thanks to him from the depth of your heart.
Contemplatio
At this time, we run another risk not mentioned above: that of sterile guilt. Obviously, we cannot solve all the problems of those whose suffer. Be realistic in your approach to charity. Remember John the Baptist, one of the main characters of Advent. Just like those who approached him, ask yourself: “What about us? What are we to do?” Read once again Luke 3:1-17 and find your own answer. Mery Christmas!
Reflections written by Rev. Fr. Mariano Perrón, Director of Inter-Religious Affairs, Archdiocese of Madrid, Spain
© 2010 American Bible Society. All Rights Reserved. 1865 Broadway, New York, NY 10023-7505
December 25, 2011
Christmas
This is a reminder to continue in your daily Lectio Divina Scripture reading. We’ve included the content again for you, to make it easier for you to continue to engage with God’s Word.
THE WORD BECAME FLESH
John 1:1-18 (Good News Translation)
1 In the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 From the very beginning the Word was with God. 3 Through him God made all things; not one thing in all creation was made without him. 4 The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light to people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out. 6 God sent his messenger, a man named John, 7 who came to tell people about the light, so that all should hear the message and believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came to tell about the light. 9 This was the real light—the light that comes into the world and shines on all people. 10 The Word was in the world, and though God made the world through him, yet the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to his own country, but his own people did not receive him. 12 Some, however, did receive him and believed in him; so he gave them the right to become God's children. 13 They did not become God's children by natural means, that is, by being born as the children of a human father; God himself was their Father. 14 The Word became a human being and, full of grace and truth, lived among us. We saw his glory, the glory which he received as the Father's only Son. 15 John spoke about him. He cried out, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, “He comes after me, but he is greater than I am, because he existed before I was born.” ” 16 Out of the fullness of his grace he has blessed us all, giving us one blessing after another. 17 God gave the Law through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is the same as God and is at the Father's side, he has made him known.
Other Readings: Vigil Mass: Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 89:4-5, 16-17, 22, 29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Matthew 1:1-25. ; Mass at Midnight: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14. ; Mass at Dawn: Isaiah 62:11-12; Psalm 97:1, 2, 11-12; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:15-20. ; Mass during the Day: Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1-18;
Lectio
As you see in the section “Other Readings,” Christmas, together with the Easter Vigil, is the liturgical celebration with the largest number of passages from the Bible. In fact, there are four different sets of readings for the masses of this day: Vigil, Midnight, Dawn and Day. They total sixteen readings: four from the Old Testament (Isaiah in all cases), with their own responsorial Psalms; and eight from the New Testament (Acts, Titus and Hebrews; Matthew, Luke and John). We are offered a full gamut of biblical texts to explain an incredible event which, paradoxically, could be summarized in a single, four word sentence: THE WORD BECAME FLESH. Taking this into account, the question is simple: how can we approach our Lectio Divina today? The simplest thing would be to abandon for a time our traditional routine and recur to the Bible or to a mass book, browse through its pages, stop here and there and, led by the Spirit, follow our own inspiration. If we opt for the mass book, the prayers used in those masses could also give us some hints as to the way in which the liturgy approaches and understands the Scripture, something we have not done up to now. Perhaps we could focus our attention on some of the many motifs we can find in those readings. Although we could do this in many different ways, I have humbly chosen a number of those motifs in today’s liturgy and sorted them into three dimensions: ours is a God who communicates; who transforms the world under the sign of his blessings; and who comes to us hidden in the humblest and most unpredictable ways. Our God is not an isolated outsider, an alien, but someone who communicates with humankind. In the past, God accomplished this by means of the Patriarchs and Prophets, but “in these last days, he has spoken to us through his Son” (Hebrews 1:2). And it has not been by means of a “vision,” a humanlike apparition, but by means of our own “flesh.” In that sense, the first witnesses of God’s presence are those who “have heard it, have seen it, [whose] hands have touched it” (1 John 1:1), and have passed down to us their saving experience, making us able to share in his closeness. God transforms reality under the sign of his blessings. He brings us from darkness to light; from slavery to freedom; from despair to hope and joy; from mortality to eternal life; from sin and guilt to justification, forgiveness and grace. God’s presence makes us approach life in hope, and invites us to transform reality so as to make the world reflect his designs: no more burdens or yokes, no more warfare or abandonment, no more isolation or hatred. God acts, arrives and communicates in the most unexpected ways. Not in the power of weapons or armies, nor in the insolence of the mighty rulers of this world, nor in the proud self satisfaction of the wise and respected. He comes in weakness and poverty. He becomes a small child born in the direst conditions, not in the palace of a king. He manifests himself to lowly shepherds and foreigners. He can be discovered wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. He is no longer in the dark cloud, thunder and lightning, or the trumpet blast of Mount Sinai, but in the humble and frail condition of a newborn baby, in the silence of the night. Having those motifs in mind, we may say that the classical dictum, THE WORD BECAME FLESH, is the key to understand life from a new, radical Christian perspective. To such an extent has God identified with our humanity, that “flesh,” our human nature, has become the “sacrament” of God’s presence in history and in our common existence. And it is there that he must be encountered.
Meditatio
During this time of Christmas, we run the risk of being driven away from the real religious content of our Christian celebration. The joyful music of our carols can become a loud noise which prevents us from listening to the whisper of God’s Word becoming flesh in the form of a baby. The sparkling décor in our streets and homes can dazzle us and fade the real Light of the world. Shopping for presents for those we love can make us forget the great gift of God, his own Son. Reflect on these possibilities, and see in which way you can make your “spirit of Christmas” deeper and more fruitful for you and those around you.
Oratio
Today, early in the morning, before you start your activity, take a few minutes and bring to mind those who, on this date, will be going through the same situations Jesus faced: babies born in poverty, sickness, exile or abandonment; parents who cannot offer their children even basic things like food, shelter, education, or medical care. Bring their needs to the Lord, and pray especially for those who suffer from hunger, sickness, loneliness, are in prison or have feelings of guilt, that they can also share in God’s blessings. And, of course, be aware of all the gifts you have received from God, and give thanks to him from the depth of your heart.
Contemplatio
At this time, we run another risk not mentioned above: that of sterile guilt. Obviously, we cannot solve all the problems of those whose suffer. Be realistic in your approach to charity. Remember John the Baptist, one of the main characters of Advent. Just like those who approached him, ask yourself: “What about us? What are we to do?” Read once again Luke 3:1-17 and find your own answer. Mery Christmas!
Reflections written by Rev. Fr. Mariano Perrón, Director of Inter-Religious Affairs, Archdiocese of Madrid, Spain
© 2010 American Bible Society. All Rights Reserved. 1865 Broadway, New York, NY 10023-7505
No comments:
Post a Comment