Category: biblical reflection

Lent 25:1

Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13

Old English borrowed the word perfect from Old French who borrowed it from Latin; per meaning through and fect meaning to do. So, the old definition of the adjective perfect means, to do through, complete. Reflecting on this gospel scene, helps me wonder if the devil’s main strategy is to make us think we are not complete. He tempts us into thinking we have needs, and those needs must be filled for us to be who we are intended to be: without these needs met we are somehow less than. 

The devil tries this strategy with Jesus in the desert. He first tells Jesus to turn the stones into bread. After all, Jesus has fasted for forty days, and just has to be hungry. The devil is suggesting that Jesus is lacking; He is not whole, His belly is empty. But Jesus says, “Hungry, shmungry, I’m full of what I need to be who I am.”

The devil tries again, “I can give you all the Kingdoms on earth.” The devil is implying, if Jesus is a king, if that is who he thinks he is, he’s got it wrong because he lacks a kingdom. The devil is playing with Jesus’ identity by dismissing spiritual and divine reality and elevating reality defined by human perception. But Jesus knows who is it; He doesn’t need earthly kingdoms to be the King that He is already. 

Then the devil tries to goad and provoke Jesus into proving He is who He says He is, suggesting proof of identify is a need not yet met. But Jesus says,  “I know who I am; you are not going to bully me into bullying my Father and the angels to prove it. I do not need others to believe I who I am to be who I Am.” 

The Fortress Commentary refers to these early chapters and verses in Luke’s narrative as the ‘unfolding’ of Jesus’ identity, and points out that the devil advances Jesus’ identity by questioning it. The devil has three times tried to convince Jesus that not only does he has unmet needs, but that until those needs are met, He is not completely Himself. He is without integrity, without wholeness, lacking and less than. But Jesus knows who He is intended to be and is completely Himself. 

Journal Questions:

This is a fascinating paradox: how can our identities be complete and we are fully who we are meant to be, while our identities are still unfolding?

Who does the Lord invite and intend me to be? 

In what ways have the devil’s attempts to convince you you need x, y, z actually advanced the integrity of your identity?

Advent 24:4

Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-55

He takes away the first to establish the second. This statement of Paul’s certainly makes sense in our world’s today too. We can’t put away all our new Christmas presents, without making room, without taking away some of last years’ presents. Sometimes we have to let go of old friends, before we can establish new ones.This ‘making way for the new’ happens in two ways; either we make room first and fill the space with the newness when it arrives. Or sometimes, we acquire the new and work backwards, then making the space that’s needed. 

Theologically speaking, the second convenant, which was brought about when Jesus was born, lived, died and rose again, replaced the first convenant that the Lord had made with only the Jewish people. That was a fine convenant, made with fine people, however, the Lord always seems to be expanding and extending His outreach. Case in point, He created the universe; it expands. So the second convenant includes more people than the first. 

It is not a good guess then, that the Second Coming will expand and extend the Lord’s family even more so. And that is what Advent is about; not prep for Christmas or the first coming, but the Second Coming, whether you believe it to be a personal and/or cosmic end. Bill Barry SJ refers to this endeavor to grow the Kingdom as God’s family business, which we are all invited to work in. We are not expected to expand and extend this Kingdom by obligating people to change, but by rewriting that which limits and letting go of ‘first things.’ Only in this way can a new way can be established.

Journal Questions:

What new ideas, people and situations have come into your life this year? What did you need to let go over to make room? 

Who or what is no longer in your life? What did you fill the empty space with? 

How can you expand and extend God’s Kingdom? How will you help the Lord in the family business? 

Advent 24:3

Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:7-18

Many ancient cultures have a tradition of bards, poets and story-tellers. David sang praises to the Lord on his harp; a skill set that might have gotten him the job of king. In Ancient Germanic, Viking and Celtic cultures the bards/poets were held in status and esteem second only to the king. As way of explanation as to why these people were so important, scholars point out that common people did not read. They only ‘knew’ of the deeds of the king through the bards, story-tellers and poets. They were the PR machine of the day.

So imagine an ancient hall stuffed with people; there’s a celebration. Mead and/or wine is flowing, there’s lots of special food. Musicians fill the room with noise. After a few hours, a hush falls over the room. The story-telling bard musician starts to sing of the might deeds of… 

… I would say the king, but in our first reading, it is the King singing and telling tales… and He’s singing and telling tales about you! He is singing joyfully because of you! 

Why? What might He be telling everyone? If you flip to the second reading and the gospel and smish it all together, the Lord King is telling stories about how kind you are towards others, which includes prayers of petition and thanksgiving, and loving acts of charity. This ancient feasting scene featuring the Lord boasting about me, sure inspires me to step up! How about you? 

Journal Questions

How do you feel about the above possibility? Awkward, joyous, confused? 

Reflect on a time when you felt truly joyous. Include lots of sensory details!

Write a list of 10 or more things you might try to do a bit more of, just so the Lord King can sing about it. 

Advent 24:2

Barach 5:1-9, Philippians 1:4-11, Luke 3:1-6

In Judaism the number 7 suggests perfection; however, the word perfection is often used to refer to completion.The number six, therefore becomes mega powerful because it suggests the potential of perfection or completion. Whether we are talking about humans, humanity or a natural process, it, they or something are or is still becoming, still achieving, still striving. It is the action and energy of reaching towards the completion that brings peace and joy, not its obtainment.

This is why the detail that there are six jugs of water that are turned into wine at the Wedding Feast in Cana is so important. The Wedding Feast miracle suggests that only the Lord can fulfill the promise of completion, but humanity and humans contribute towards the completion by the every act of reaching and striving. 

These first two readings remind us of these ideas. Christmas is a mini-completion, if you will, and so brings a sense of fulfillment. However, it is our involvement and observation of the Lord making crooked paths straight, pulling together individuals into a one-hearted community, and bestowing blessings on others for a greater good, that brings joy and delight. The Kingdom is not complete and we have a part.

Journal Questions:

Making two columns, brainstorm all the situations or elements in your life that are ‘becoming’ and another list of all that has been completed. 

Pick a three items on each list to write about; include thoughts and feelings. 

After some time, reread all that you wrote this week. Reflect in a journal or in dialogue what you discovered when you compare the two different sorts of situations; those of becoming against those that have been fulfilled. 

Advent 24:1

Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21:25-36

William Barclay, in his commentary about the above gospel passage, mentions that the Stoics believed life was circular, history repeating itself every 3000 years. He points out that as Christians we believe that history is going somewhere. This would hold true for human history, as well as each life.

And Advent repeats itself every year too. These ‘repeats’ are like a journey up and down a lighthouse. Each year, each new Advent, we look out a different window. Perhaps the year that’s ensued has brought us downwards, into our soul, or perhaps we’ve traveled upwards, and our spirit has flourished. Each year, the view out the window is similar but new. 

Through Luke 21:34, Jesus invites us to reflect on where we might be intentionally dulling or ignoring opportunities to be compassionate towards others. We are invited to think about where we might be wasting our energy to love or to spark life and joy. We are invited to ponder in what situations are we distracted by things we can’t control, thereby not engaging in acts of mercy.

In English the word meaning the opposite of heavy is also that which allows us to see. This harkens back to Jesus’ words, “My yoke is easy, my burden light.” Yes, following Jesus is not heavy, but it also requires understanding and insight, hence, it requires light. Our burden is Light… to let the Light of Christ shine forth, to carry it, to allow it to enlighten others. This Light will in turn lighten their burdens as well. 

Journal Questions:

When has light and insight lightened your burdens?

What new opportunities might exist to share love, be compassionate and empathetic?

What situations are new in your life this year from last?