Dec 17 Monday: Mt
1:1-17: 1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son
of Abraham.
The context: Starting with a genealogy was the Jewish way of
beginning a biography because the Jews gave importance to the purity of the
lineage which made them part of God’s Chosen People. For a noble Jew, the line
must be traceable back through five generations, and for a Jewish priest
traceable back to Aaron. Matthew presents Jesus’ human ancestry, indicating that
salvation history has reached its climax with the birth of the Son of God
through Mary by the working of the Holy Spirit. The Jewish genealogies followed
the male line. Hence, Joseph, as the
husband of Mary, was the legal father of Jesus, and the legal father was on a
par with the real father regarding rights and duties. Thus, it is through
Joseph, his legal father, that Jesus became the descendant of David. Since the
Jews generally married within their clan, the early Fathers of the Church
believed that Mary also belonged to David’s family. As a legal son of David,
Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecies.
The genealogy of Jesus Christ in today’s Gospel is carefully
arranged into three groups of fourteen generations each. The three groups are
based on 1) the rise of Israel to a great kingdom under David and Solomon, 2)
the fall of the nation in the Babylonian exile and 3) the raising of the nation
after the exile. The three groups symbolically represent the creation of man in
God’s image, the loss of man’s greatness in Adam’s sin and the regaining of
greatness through Christ Jesus.
Life messages: 1) We need to accept and support, lift up and
correct the bad members of our family, acknowledging the truth that every
family has some black sheep. Jesus’ genealogy mentions a harlot named Rahab, an
adulteress named Tamar and a Moabite Gentile woman named Ruth. We need to
remember that God can bring good out of the worst persons and circumstances.
2) We need to appreciate our membership in the Divine family
of God by Baptism and behave as holy children of a Holy God. (Fr. T. Kadavil)
L/18
Dec 18 Tuesday:
Mt 1:18-25: 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his
mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was
found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; 19 and her husband Joseph, being a
just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20
But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a
dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for
that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; 21 she will bear a son,
and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their
sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the
prophet: 23 “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall
be called Emmanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 …25
The context: Today’s Gospel focuses on the story of the
Virgin Birth, which is at the heart of our Christmas celebrations. It focuses also on the person and role of
St. Joseph. In today’s Gospel, Matthew
sees in the passage from Isaiah one of the most descriptive and definite
prophecies foretelling the future Messianic King, Christ, to be born as a
descendant of David. In order for Jesus
to fulfill this promise, Joseph had to accept Jesus as his son, making Jesus a
descendant of David because Joseph was a descendant of David. Matthew makes it clear that Jesus was not the
biological child of Joseph. But because
Joseph was the husband of Mary at the time Jesus was born, Jesus was legally
the son of Joseph and, thus, a descendant of David. Luke tells us of Mary’s obedience (Luke
1:38), and Matthew of Joseph’s obedience.
Luke tells the story of the angel’s appearance to Mary (Luke 1:26-38),
but Matthew tells us only that the child was from the Holy Spirit.
God’s message through His angel: This is the first of three
occasions on which an angel appears to Joseph in a dream. The angel commands Joseph to take Mary as his
wife. Mary’s role is to bear a son, and
Joseph’s role is to name him. By naming
him, Joseph makes Jesus his son and brings him into the house of David. Joseph’s hallmark is obedience — prompt,
simple, unspectacular obedience.
Joseph’s obedience allows Jesus to be adopted as a true Son of David; it
is Mary’s free consent to the will of God that allows Jesus to be born Son of
God. In the end, Joseph takes Mary as
his wife, in spite of his fears, and he claims her son as his own by naming
him. In spite of his earlier decision to
divorce this woman quietly, Joseph nurtured and protected and watched over and
loved both Mary and her child.
Life messages: 1) Like Joseph, we need to trust in God,
listen to Him and be faithful. Like Joseph and Mary, we are called to be
faithful, and to trust in God. Let us talk to Him and listen to Him speaking through
the Bible. Let us try to imitate Joseph and Mary, the humblest of the humble,
the kindliest of the kindly, and the greatest-ever believers in God’s goodness
and mercy and welcome Jesus into our hearts and lives not only at Christmas but
all year long. (Fr. T. Kadavil) L/18
Dec 19 Wednesday: Lk 1:5-25: 5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea,
there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah; and he had a
wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were
both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of
the Lord blameless. …. 16 And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the
Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah,
to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the
wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” 18 And
Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and
my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel,
who stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak to you, and to bring
you this good news. 20………………25
The context: We recall two advents and two angelic messages
during the Advent season, namely, the advent of John the Baptist and the advent
of Jesus. The first was preceded by the Archangel Gabriel’s informing Zechariah
the priest that a son whom he was to name John would be born to him and his
barren, aged wife. The second is preceded by the Archangel Gabriel’s message to
Mary, a virgin betrothed to Joseph, asking her consent to become the mother of
Jesus. Today’s Gospel describes how Zechariah got the Divine message in the
Holy of Holies in the Temple of Jerusalem while he was offering incense.
Zechariah was one of the 1800 priests serving the Temple of
Jerusalem. They were divided into 24 groups of 75 each. Thirty priests of each
group were to serve the Temple for worship services each day and only one of
them got the rare chance of offering incense inside the Holy of Holies. It was
while performing this priestly function that Zechariah received the vision of
the angel and was given the message about his having a son in his old age.
Zechariah was given a temporary punishment of muteness for his lack of Faith in
God’s message delivered by Gabriel.
Life messages: 1) We should not take our small misfortunes
as big tragedies. We should imitate Zechariah who remained optimistic,
continuing in prayer and service in the Temple. 2) We need to get rid of the
barrenness of our heart, cleanse it daily, liberate it from evil attachments
and prepare it for the rebirth of Jesus. 3) We need to be good parents and
grandparents, offering incessant prayers for our children and grandchildren.
(Fr. T. Kadavil) L/18
Dec 20 Thursday:
Lk 1:26-38: 26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city
of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was
Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came
to her and said, “Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was
greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of
greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your
womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great,
and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him
the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob
for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the
angel, “How shall this be, since I have no husband?” 35 And the angel said to
her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will
overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of
God. 36 And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived
a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For with
God nothing will be impossible.”38 ….
The context: Today’s
Gospel describes the story of the Annunciation, explaining how God began to
keep the promise He had made to King David through the prophet Nathan, that
David’s descendant would rule over the world as its Messiah.
The Archangel Gabriel’s salutation to Mary: “Hail, full of
grace,” reminds us of God’s words to Moses at the burning bush (Ex 3:12), and
the angel’s salutation to Gideon, (Jgs 6:12).
Mary is described as “full of grace”, filled with God’s favor and graciousness. She is the new Ark, a tent and temple. God is literally and physically in her, and
thus she is the greater House God promised to David. Mary’s question, “How can
this be, since I am a virgin?” is natural.
That is why Gabriel reminds Mary, “Nothing is impossible with God.” God will “empower” her (“the Spirit will come
upon you“) and “protect” her (“overshadow you“). Luke’s narrative points out that the child
would not only be a distant grandson of David — he would be God’s own Son. “He will be great, and will be called the Son
of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor
David.” Mary does not require confirmation but responds in Faith. She agrees to carry out the Word Gabriel has
addressed to her.
Life messages: 1) We need to be humble instruments in the
hand of God, trusting in His power and goodness. St. Augustine reminds us that God Who created
us without our permission cannot save us without our active cooperation. Hence, let us cooperate in the fulfillment of
God’s plan for us with Mary’s trusting Faith and humility.
2) Like Mary, who brought God to us as Jesus our Savior, we
carry Jesus and bring him to the lives of others around us through love, mercy,
forgiveness and service. “Let the soul of Mary be in each one of you to magnify
the Lord. Let the spirit of Mary be in
each one to exult in Christ.” (St. Ambrose).
(Fr. T. Kadavil) L/18
Dec 21 Friday:
Visitation of the BVM: Lk 1:39-46: 39 In those days Mary arose and went with
haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, 40 and she entered the house
of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of
Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy
Spirit, …45
The context: The mystery of the Incarnation comes to
ordinary people living ordinary lives, who have the willingness to respond to
God’s call and the openness and generosity to do God’s will. Luke, in today’s
Gospel, tells us how two seemingly insignificant women met to celebrate the
kindness and fidelity of God. In the
Gospel, one definition of discipleship is to listen to God’s word and then
carry it out. Mary did both, to become the most perfect disciple. The incident also shows us how sensitive
Mary was to the needs of Elizabeth, her older cousin, who had miraculously
become pregnant in her old age.
Mary’s visit to Elizabeth. There is a saying, “He (she) who
is on fire cannot sit on a chair.” Mary,
filled with the fire and empowering of the Holy Spirit, hurried to the mountain
country where Elizabeth lived, thereby conveying the Holy Spirit to her cousin
and her child. Like all good Jews, Mary
was prompted in everything she did by her commitment to God’s word in her life.
The paradox of blessedness.
Blessedness confers on a person both the greatest joy and the greatest
task in the world. Nowhere can we see
the paradox better illustrated than in Mary’s life. Mary was granted the blessedness and
privilege of being the mother of the Son of God. Yet, that very blessedness was to be a sword
to pierce her heart: one day she would
see her Son hanging on a cross. So, to
be chosen by God is often both a crown of joy and a cross of sorrow. God does not choose us to give us a life of
ease and comfort, but in order to use us for His purposes.
Life messages: 1) We
should recognize the real presence of Emmanuel (God is with us) and say “yes”
to Him: The Visitation of Mary reminds
us that, through his holy ministry, Christ continues to be present among his
people. Let us recognize and appreciate
the truth that the same Christ “dwells among us” in the Bible, in the
Sacraments, in the praying community and in our souls.
2) We should convey Jesus to others as Mary did to
Elizabeth. We can make a real difference
in the lives of others today by carrying Jesus to them. For that, we must be filled with the spirit
of Christ, allowing his rebirth within us.
Then Jesus will enable us to share his love with all whom we encounter,
by offering them humble and committed service, unconditional forgiveness and
compassionate caring. (Fr. T. Kadavil)
L/18
Dec 22 Saturday:
Lk 1:46-56: 46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit
rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has regarded the low estate of his
handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; 49 for
he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 And his
mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown
strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their
hearts, 52 he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of
low degree; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has
sent empty away. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his
mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever.”
56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.
The context: Most
probably the “Magnificat” (Canticle of Mary) is drawn from the canticle of
Hannah in I Samuel 2, an ancient poem, originally thought to have nothing to do
with Samuel’s birth. Mary’s song emphasizes that Jesus, like Samuel, was a
“child of promise.” Just as the barren
Hannah could have no children so Mary, a virgin, could have no children.
Further, Hannah and Mary were completely dedicated to the Lord. Just as Hannah dedicated her child Samuel to
the Lord, so Mary offered her son Jesus for our salvation. On hearing
Elizabeth’s greetings, Mary sang, praising and thanking God for the great
things He had done for her. He had filled her with graces, overshadowed her
with His Holy Spirit and made her the mother of His Son Jesus. Mary praised God also for the mercy He had
worked by humbling the proud, by ousting the mighty from their thrones and by
exalting the lowly and filling the hungry with good things, a social, political
and economic revolution.
Life messages: 1) We need to sing songs of gratitude to God
as Mary did because of the great gift of life God gave us through our parents
and the gift of early training we received from them in a Christian home.
2) Let us also glorify God every day through our works of
charity for the gift of our particular vocation in life and the opportunities
God gives us every day for doing good to others. (Fr. T. Kadavil) L/18
