A reading from the prophecy of Isaiah
(Chapter 61:1-2, 10-11)
Have you noticed the continuity between the Hebrew scriptures, especially the prophets, and the gospels? That is because Jesus was a practicing Jew, a respected teacher and preacher who had studied and often referred to the scriptures of his people. Jesus quoted the first two lines of this passage, as we read in the fourth chapter of Luke’s Gospel. Jesus is telling the people who he is and what his mission is. He uses these words of Isaiah: “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me.” He is the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel, and his mission is to heal, to bring freedom and justice to the people, and to proclaim God’s favor, God’s reign.
Isaiah is saying these words at the end of the long Babylonian Exile. Jesus will say them many centuries later to assure people that he has come to free them from their present captivity and proclaim the reign of God.
Responsorial Psalm
(Luke 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54)
This week’s “psalm” is not from the Book of Psalms but rather the beautiful Magnificat prayer of Mary that has its roots in the song of Hannah in the First Book of Samuel. “My soul proclaims the greatness of God,” Mary sings. Her soul and her whole life certainly did just that. It is a powerful prayer to say at any time, but especially now.
A reading from St. Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians
(Chapter 5:16-24)
Here we have St. Paul dealing once again with one of the major questions in the early Church. The question for the early Christians, which may not seem urgent to us, was when the Lord would come again at the end of time. People in the early Christian community thought Jesus was coming in their lifetime. Of course, he did not, but Paul’s advice to the Thessalonians was on target nevertheless. “Rejoice always…. Do not quench the Spirit…. Refrain from every kind of evil.” It was good advice then, and it is now for us. This is a time for rejoicing, not just giving and receiving gifts. It is also a time to prepare for the coming of Jesus into our lives on a deeper level. How are you preparing the way for Jesus coming to you?
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John
(Chapter 1:6-8, 19-28)
John the Baptist knows who he is. He does not have an identity crisis or a crisis over his vocation. He never thinks he is more than he has been called to be. It would be a wonderful gift if we all knew our true identities and calling. For most of us, learning that is a lifelong process. As we go on our journey into the mystery of God’s love, we are given many gifts, challenges, hardships, and healings. Numerous people appear in our lives. Some pass almost unnoticed, but others make their mark, sometimes happily and other times not. Can we humbly accept the gifts and use them well, treat the people with respect, whoever they may be, and keep our hearts open to wonder and joy even in the hard times of rejection, failure, or loss? John the Baptist was murdered, but his mission was not a failure. He died for Jesus. We are called to live for Jesus.
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Image: Limestone panel with relief image of John the Baptist. From the Timlos Prodromos Monastery, Zakynthos, Greece.. Byzantine and Christian Museum, Athens, Greece. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.
Excerpts from the English translation of the Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL). All rights reserved. The passage regarding the wedding garment is from The New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved.
Bill Ayres was a founder, with the late singer Harry Chapin, of WhyHunger. He has been a radio and TV broadcaster for 40 years and has two weekly Sunday-night shows on WPLJ, 95.5 FM in New York. He is a member of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Centerport, New York.