The Incarnation: God With Us

On this last Sunday of Advent, Matthew’s Gospel presents a synopsis of how the birth of Jesus the Christ took place.  It focuses on Joseph’s visit from an angel who revealed that his wife Mary was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. This unusual occurrence came to be known as the Incarnation.  The word Incarnation, as it is known in Christianity, if capitalized, is the union of divinity with humanity in Jesus Christ.  (Wikipedia)

During an hour of exposition of the Blessed Sacrament recently, I was overcome thinking about the Incarnation.  In Spanish, incarnation means “flesh”. God has taken on flesh and is one of us. During prayer, I was overwhelmed that Jesus would put on flesh and be born a human being.  How awesome that God would find a way to send His Son, as scripture explains, by overshadowing Mary. The baby who would be born would be the Son of the Most High.

Throughout the centuries. Christmas has been associated with the birth of Jesus, Mary’s son. Is Christmas only a one-day celebration and then we let it go?  Oh no! Jesus is an ongoing Incarnation. Every time we imitate Jesus and have faith in Him, He is born again and again.  On the cusp of Christmas, Advent reminds us of the Incarnation of God’s abiding presence.  Jesus continues to be born every time His presence leads us to imitate Him.

The late Thomas Keating, Cistercian monk and noted spiritual writer, in his book, Awakenings, refers to the Incarnation:

“God has become

one of us and is breathing our air”…  Through His humanity, the whole universe has become divine… By becoming a human being, He is in the heart of all creation and in every part of it”.  (AW, 95-97)

Incarnation, what an amazing Christmas gift!

-Sister Joan McMahon, CSJ

The Fourth Week of Advent

During these past two years of Covid, planning a trip to see a loved one has been something longed for but unlikely. No doubt the trip Mary took to visit Elizabeth was also longed for but unlikely and then the opportunity presented itself, her great announcement. Angels messages must be shared!

Jewish tradition at the time had two distinct aspects to a marriage: the betrothal period followed typically within a year by a wedding ceremony. Once a couple were betrothed, they were considered to already be husband and wife. It was not uncommon for a child to be conceived in the interim. Thankfully, Mary’s conception would not have raised any judgmental attitudes.

I like to think Mary “went as fast as she could”, or “in haste” to see Elizabeth for three reasons:

1. to share her excitement about her betrothal and her pregnancy

2. to share with her cousin/mentor/dare I say spiritual companion the angel’s message, and

3. to help Elizabeth in her final trimester of her later-in-life pregnancy.

John the Baptist, then ending his second trimester in utero was no doubt leaping in Elizabeth’s womb. What a timely recognition of Mary’s blessed conception. New life, always a treasure.

Now, so close to Christmas, for what do you long? With whom will you visit and share your own blessed experiences in life? Who will you assist through a blessed time which for some is very difficult? With so many ways in which Christ is born daily in our lives how can we help but rejoice and share the good news?

Merry Christmas to all!

Maureen Condon

Image source: Unsplash: Greyson Joralemon

Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 20, 2020: O Key of David

On the fourth Sunday of Advent King David comes into special focus.  The first reading is just one of the prophecies where God promises David that the Messiah will be his heir, as in this excerpt,

And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors,
I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins,
and I will make his kingdom firm.
I will be a father to him,
and he shall be a son to me.
Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me;
your throne shall stand firm forever.'” (2Sam 7:12-14)

In the gospel, God is shown to fulfill this promise, after one thousand years, as the angel Gabriel announces God's request to Mary to be the Mother of the Messiah,

"Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Lk 1:31-33)

Moreover today, December 20th, in the O Antiphons, Jesus is hailed as Key of David. What is it about David that was so important then?

We could say that of all the Jewish kings, it was David who is featured in a heart to heart relationship with God. Throughout his life, he is shown to reverence God in a personally intimate communication with God and God with him, through the prophets.  David’s reign is held up as an ideal, one of faithfulness to the Lord, protection of all the people, extending justice and mercy. Despite all his flaws and his sins, David’s immediate recognition of them and his sincere repentance from the heart, are all part of his sincere love for God.

These prophecies of a Son of David, to sit on his throne, seemed so difficult to maintain in the peoples' oppression, and poverty and yet they remained a sacred hope. Now, after a thousand years, Jesus the Messiah was to enter our world and take the throne of David his father.  The joy of Christmas is on our doorstep!

As the Key of David, Jesus opens up our full inheritance as God's children to join him in bringing about the Kingdom of God that is peace, love, care for all, forgiveness, and new life, far surpassing what could have been imagined by his devout ancestor King. Come, Lord Jesus!

-Sister Wendy Cotter, csj

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

The Gospel reading for the Fourth Sunday of Advent is rich with meaning for Christians.  It helps us consider where we find Christ in our midst.  Are we prepared to open our eyes to see Christ in the poor and the least powerful in our society? It also asks us to reflect on how we discover Christ being birthed within each of us.  Are we attentive to nurturing that spark within us that is from God; that seed of life that is meant to be born by us individually; that is a gift from God for the world; something unique, that we each have to offer in our own way?  It is necessary that each of us take time to reflect on this call. This precious gift that may manifest itself differently as we find ourselves at different stages in our lives, is nonetheless ours to give, through God’s grace working in us.

However, what caught my imagination in this Sunday’s Gospel was Joseph; dear Joseph, who must have been completely bewildered and disappointed upon discovering his future bride was already pregnant.  And yet (with some persuasion from an angel) was willing to support and love Mary, and Jesus, as his family – contradicting the norms of society and his own reason. Joseph offered Mary a home, a community, in which she could give birth to Emmanuel, thereby fulfilling God’s plan.

This calls me to reflect on the importance of community in our lives.  Who do we spend our time with?  Who challenges us and encourages us to discover Christ within us?  Who supports us as we birth Christ in our daily lives?  And, of equal importance – how do we support and nurture others so that they can discover Christ within themselves individually and as a community of faith?  How do we react when people share with us what they believe to be true. Are we dismissive?  Do we challenge them immediately?  Or do we walk with them, and help them to unpack that truth more fully.

In a world that has become increasingly private, I have been profoundly moved and inspired in my ministry by a pretty incredible group of young adults who have come together this year.  They are at different points in their lives—some are students, some are just starting careers—but they share a bond through their faith.  I’m inspired as I observe the care, concern and gentle love that they have for one another.  They share ideas, and wonderings about their individual journeys. They call one another to authenticity, and they support one another as they discover their unique gifts. They listen to one another and God speaking through the other.

This type of community of faith is important for each of us as we discern, and birth Jesus in our hearts. Perhaps we can spend some time this advent season reflecting on not only on where Christ is in our own hearts, but on how we support and foster relationship with those we encounter – recognizing that Christ is also present there. How do we listen to God’s word together?

- Annette Donovan Panchaud, Associate, The Sisters of St. Joseph

Fourth Sunday of Advent leaping into Christmas

Well here it is and there it goes!

This year the calendar permits one day only, of what is usually a week, and then a quick turn around into the festivities of Christmas. The fourth week of Advent begins and ends on Sunday, well with a few hours in the heart of Monday, but then . . .

In the Sunday gospel Elizabeth questions: “Why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?” We would like to linger and ponder that great visit of Mary to her cousin, both with child, both awaiting a miraculous birth. Both an expression of God’s largesse of love for - yes the individual mothers, - and ah yes for the entirety of all creation.

Well, this year the rhythm of the liturgical year is imitating the rhythm of giving birth. The signs come quickly and the process begins, and then the wondrous mystery shines forth in glorious light.

In the beginning was Divine Love

            Through a simple breath Love birthed creation

                        Then at the appointed time

Love burst into humanity

                                                And Love became flesh

                                                Dwelling with us . . among us . . .around us . . .

                 May you and yours be God’s Word of Love shining forth in glorious light

                                                Proclaiming Christ’s Peace and Hope to our world.

- Sr. Loretta Manzara, csj