Sunday Gospel Comment
Alberic Jacovone OSB
YEAR C CHRISTMAS 25.12.06 Is 9,1-7; Titus 2,11-14; Lk 2,1-14 God comes in the midst of a census The
miracle of birth.
Today let’s pause & reflect on the wonder of birth: our birth & the
Lord’s birth. We will never fully grasp, why on earth each of us has been
selected to be born in this immense, beautiful “Cosmos” (a word that by
itself means ‘beauty-ful’), & why the Creator would have thought of each
of us.., but He has. We know that we never brought ourselves into God’s
universe, nor did we deserve to be born. For such unique privilege, all we can
say is: Thank you, Lord. And we should thank also the people who -over many
years- have nurtured us into life. But today we rejoice in the most amazing of
all births: the birth of God himself in our world. He was born among simple,
devout shepherds & the angels
sang: ‘Glory to God & peace to God’s people’. Today let us -each in
our own way- rejoice & ponder over the immense difference that our
Saviour’s birth has made to our world, & is still making in our life &
in our families. Let us contemplate & stay-with, our deepest ‘birth-day
feelings’. Let us radiate our joy to one another as we sing to Jesus our
“Happy Birth-day to You” & as we share with one another our wishes. May
the Lord be born (again) in our mind & heart & life - May He be born
(again) in our family, our Church & our troubled world. May good will, peace
& love increase in our midst. The message of Christmas is “Great Good
News” indeed. God has given our world the greatest of all gifts, His Son as
our Beloved Saviour. Today, as we celebrate his birthday, let’s implore that
we may be renewed & born (again) in his love. Let’s ask Him to take over
& be the King of our life. Let’s feel carried away by the religious
fervour & enthusiasm, experienced by many Saints in past centuries: Francis,
Gertrude, Padre Pio.... A
census was ordered by Caesar Augustus. Luke’s Gospel links the birth of Christ with a well
known event in ancient history: the “Census” that Emperor Tiberius ordered
for the Roman Empire. Luke says: It happened that a decree from Caesar Augustus
went out, ordering everyone to be registered, each to his own city of origin. We
know that Empires make use of a Census, for the purpose of imposing taxes. The Gospels
speak of tax-collectors as people despised by all, extorting huge amounts from
their own, to enrich the hated enemy. We know also that a census was carried out
for purposes, such as to enlist conscription in the army or in forced labour or
slavery. After years of service, these people would be granted the privilege of
‘Roman Citizenship’ & a block of land where to retire & settle down.
Luke however is not interested in the social history of the time of Jesus. Luke,
together with Matthew, presents the details of our Saviour’s birth, to show that the
Messiah was born in Bethlehem as it had been foretold by the prophets. For Luke
& Matthew, it is important to explain that Mary & Joseph, who were known
to live in Nazareth, were caught in the events of the time, & finished up
being in Bethlehem, when baby Jesus was in fact born. & thus, God’s plan
about the Messiah took place, as the Prophets had foretold, in spite of the odds
& without the fore-knowledge of the ‘little people’ from Nazareth. Lesson:
God’s plan for our salvation takes place in the midst of our poor,
conflicting events. It unfolds as it had been already mapped our by the ancient
Prophets. At God’s appointed time, our Saviour was born. Not as an al-mighty
among the mighty of this world, but in poor circumstances. He came the poorest
among the poor, & was welcomed by poor, despised shepherds & by 3 Wise
Men from far away lands... Surprise:
Today, we too are having a CENSUS for our Parish. Please fill the form!
______________________________________ |
