THE WORD
FIRST READING: Nm 6: 22-27
The LORD said to Moses: “Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
SECOND READING: Gal 4: 4-7
Brothers and sisters: When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. As proof that you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir, through God.
GOSPEL: Lk 2: 16-21
The shepherds went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things, refl ecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.
When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
IN OTHER WORDS
A calm cold night catches a band of shepherds by surprise. Heavenly voices startle them awake and send them to some animal shelter nearby where a poor young couple is taking warm refuge after a long journey. With the strangers they share astounding news. Then their contemplative gaze turns to a helpless newborn on whom rests the promise of a glorious future for all humankind.
The biblical readings during the Christmas season, such as today’s gospel, paint for us an unusual image of God. He is One who amazes, who leads faithful believers from surprise to surprise. Where and when God’s presence breaks in are commonplace. Even how and through whom God reveals often appear so ordinary. But the surprising novelty is always “what is heard and seen” –an experience that yields an unexpected insight … a message that sheds fresh light on our life story and gives new lead to our life journey.
In the 15th century a Spanish chronicler survived a fateful voyage in the Atlantic Ocean to recount its tragedy. The ship ran out of fresh water supply and the crew hastily steered its course in search of any shore where they could nd replenishment. As days passed, many began dying of thirst before the survivors could alight on rm ground. It dawned on them then that they had been sailing inland Brazil through the vast Amazon River. Too late did they realize the tragic irony of their plight: they were dying of thirst … while oating on the biggest body of fresh water in the world!
Why had no one aboard sooner perceived the novelty of their location or think of dipping down a jug into the unknown waters to taste how potable they were? The months at sea had made them all blasé ... that state of mind resistant to any surprise. G. K. Chesterton would aptly describe their plight: “we are perishing not for want of wonders, but for want of wonder.”
Life is an Amazon River of God’s presence buoying us up in loving providence. Indeed, “in Him we move and live and have our being” (Acts 17:28). May the surprises of New Year 2016 slake and nurture within us a wondering prayerful faith, so that we may not perish in spiritual thirst!
- Pio Estepa, SVD | U.S.A.
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
