IMMANUEL
Introduction
When the kings of God’s people had not fulfilled their mission
of guiding the people to God, the prophet Jeremiah announces that God would do
away with them and become himself the shepherd of his people. But he will make
this new beginning through a man, a virtuous shoot of the house of David.
Through him, God would become his people’s integrity, the cause of our
fidelity. In the New Testament, as Matthew tells us, Jesus is this Son of David
through Joseph and Mary and at the same time, God’s own Son. He is indeed “God
our integrity,” and Immanuel, “God-with-us,” Jesus, whose name means “Savior.”
Opening Prayer
Lord, faithful God, in Jesus, you have given us someone taken
from our human flesh and blood, a man, yet your Son, through whom you want to
restore integrity and fidelity among us. With him, help us to give to you and
also to one another, the proper and adequate response of faithful, serving
love, that you expect from your people. Be our God for ever through Jesus
Christ, our Lord.
Intercessions
Lord Jesus, give us the integrity and the sense of justice that
keep escaping us, we pray: – Lord, may we learn from you to have pity on the
weak and the needy, as you are good to us and merciful, we pray: – Lord, as you
are with us, make us also stand by the side of our brothers and sisters in
their spiritual and materials needs, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
God, our Father, only someone untouched by sin could love
you as you deserve and make us, sinful people capable of responding to your
love as your sons and daughters. Let these offerings be the sign, that we
expect your Son with hope and that we are willing to follow him on his loyal
way of obedience to your will and commitment to your justice and love. Accept
us in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Lord, saving God, we give you thanks for accepting us in
your Son, Jesus Christ. In him, you make us both those who are saved and those
who have to save themselves and their brothers and sisters. Make us fully aware
that we are your messianic people. Help us to respond to your initiative of
love with all our cooperation. So that one day all humanity may belong to you and
honor you as the Father of all through our brother, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Blessing
Do not be afraid, God is with you. We live in his hands, for
he has given us Jesus, our Savior and friend. May Almighty God bless you, the
Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Commentary
Government is a noble profession. The fact is, however, that
it often disappoints. Advent points to the arrival of a new and different
government, the reign of God, our heavenly king. It is repeatedly asserted that
this future monarch will be just and will rule with wisdom. These
characteristics appear clearly in the Jeremiah reading today. The repeated
emphasis on qualities of honesty and uprightness only highlight the fact that
these attributes were absent in kings of the past. The era of the messiah was
to be clearly God directed. The name given to the child of Mary is Emmanuel,
“God with us.” Jesus will be a king of a different kind. While presiding over a
realm, he will be, as another prophet states, a king mild and humble, seated
upon a donkey. This is a king who spent his life doing good while teaching what
true goodness means. As our “window on God,” this is a king who avoids any form
of pomp or acclaim; he is die champion of compassion, forgiveness, and concern.
These qualities in God were known to Israel in the past, as Jeremiah states
today, when he brought his people out of Egyptian bondage and centuries later freed
them again from the captivity of Babylon. But never was the nature of God more
evident than in these final days, with die Word incarnate who gave his life
that we might live. To aspire to public office is certainly highly commendable.
It has its inherent dangers—compromise of principles, graft, corruption in
different forms. But it is always heartwarming to see men and women elected to
public office who maintain a posture of faith and moral principle. In the face
of temptation, such men and women stay their moral course. Public office is a
chance to enhance the reign of God, especially in concern for the neediest
people in society. It tells us that Emmanuel is still with us.
Points to Ponder
Faith and politics The reign of God today Jesus as Emmanuel Jesus
as son of Mary Joseph, the upright spouse.