Daily Reflection | Gospel Reading | RVA

December 24, 2015 Thursday

THE WORD

2 Sam 17: 1–5.8–12.14.16 / Lk 1: 67–79

Then Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and brought redemption to his people. He has raised up a horn for our salvation within the house of David his servant, even as he promised through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old: salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, to show mercy to our fathers and to be mindful of his holy covenant and of the oath he swore to Abraham our father, and to grant us that, rescued from the hand of enemies, without fear we might worship him in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God by which the daybreak from on high will visit us to shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

IN OTHER WORDS

One Christmas I was alone in the parish with two very young sacristans. I am not much of a cook and my mother was not there so I had no idea what our noche buena would be like. We had the midnight mass; everybody went home. And it was “silent night” in the convent. Then after some time a parishioner came bringing some food, then another and still another. And it became “joy to world” in the convent.

A grateful heart is a generous heart. Zechariah in the Gospel was filled with gratitude at God’s amazing gift to him and his wife Elizabeth, a son in their old age. So he sang this song of gratitude and praise. But very noticeable is the fact that Zechariah prophesied that his son will be God’s prophet. He was grateful for the gift of his son, but he was not going to treat him as his personal, exclusive property; instead, his son was going to be a gift to God and to His people Israel. As to the question, “What will become of this child?, Zechariah had an answer. The child was, is, and will always be a gift.

We always say that there is something different about Christmas. We tend to be more loving, and caring, and giving. Maybe because during this time we are reminded by the songs and by the enormity of God’s gift. This is nice and all but it would not hurt to always remember that even if the songs are silenced and the lights are dimmed, God’s gift was, is, and will always be the same. May we be grateful and generous in and out of season.

• Fr. Dante Salces Barril, SVD (Rome)

The Word in other words 2015

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.

	Production : Fr. Carlos Maria de Guzman, Jr., SVD Staff of Logos Publications
	Cover Design : Malou E. Domingo
	Liturgical Calendar : Fr. Atilano Corcuera, SVD
	Production Consultant : Fr. Gerardo del Pinado, SVD
	Scriptural Texts : New American Bible and Daily Roman Missal
	Cover artwork based on photos by Fr. Bar Fabella, SVD
	Published by : Logos Publications, Inc. 1916 Oroquieta St., Sta. Cruz, Manila
	Email Address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Telephone : +63 2 711 1323
	Fax : +63 2 732 273
Copyright © 2012 Society of the Divine Word

 

THE WORD

Mal 3: 1–4.23–24 / Lk 1: 57–66

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.

When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote,

“John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.

Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.

IN OTHER WORDS

At the Divine Word Seminary, every class has a name. It is interesting how students choose their class names—mostly because they sound “Greek”; the stranger they sound, the better. One class is named Tekton (Greek for “laborer” or “carpenter”); another, Hasidim (Hebrew for “faithful ones,” the name of a group found in the books of Maccabees; Sondergut (German word for “special material,” a technical term in biblical exegesis referring to a passage unique to a single gospel); and the like.

One wonders why Luke takes time to narrate the naming of John the Baptist. After quickly recounting the Baptist’s birth (in two verses only), Luke tells us, slowly, of the naming (in eight verses)—that it is on the eighth day, on the day of the child’s circumcision, that Elizabeth intervened to say that he will be called “John”; that the relatives object; that Zechariah, unable to speak, is consulted who in turn writes on a tablet the name “John”; that at once the mute priest begins to speak; and that the people are afraid although they also consider all these things.

The name “John” (literally in Hebrew, “The Lord is gracious”) is a common name—in fact, it is a name popular in the priestly circles—John the grandfather of Judas Maccabeus and John Hyrcanus, for example. What’s in the naming of John? It seems that Luke, by taking time to narrate this seemingly unimportant incident, wants to highlight the effectiveness of God’s word. The incident is an essential part of the confirmation of the prophetic word of the angel Gabriel who foretold of the birth of John the Baptist at the annunciation to Zechariah (1:5-25). There should be no doubt then that the prophetic word of the angel foretelling the birth of Jesus at annunciation to Mary shall be confirmed indeed (see 2:1-7). For us who hear this word today and who at times have doubts about God’s promise of goodness to us, we are continually assured that, echoing Elizabeth’s words to Mary, what was spoken to us by the Lord would be fulfilled (cf. 1:45).

• Fr. Randolf Flores, SVD (DWST, Tagaytay City)

The Word in other words 2015

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.

	Production : Fr. Carlos Maria de Guzman, Jr., SVD Staff of Logos Publications
	Cover Design : Malou E. Domingo
	Liturgical Calendar : Fr. Atilano Corcuera, SVD
	Production Consultant : Fr. Gerardo del Pinado, SVD
	Scriptural Texts : New American Bible and Daily Roman Missal
	Cover artwork based on photos by Fr. Bar Fabella, SVD
	Published by : Logos Publications, Inc. 1916 Oroquieta St., Sta. Cruz, Manila
	Email Address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Telephone : +63 2 711 1323
	Fax : +63 2 732 273
Copyright © 2012 Society of the Divine Word

 

December 22, 2015 Tuesday

THE WORD

1 Sam 1: 24–28 / Lk 1: 46–56

Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

IN OTHER WORDS

When I was a missionary in Chile, I noticed how the Chileans would add the phrase “si Dios quiere” (If God wants) when expressing their plans, hopes and dreams in life. A father would say: “Mi hijo va a ser medico, si Dios quiere.” (My son will be a doctor, if God wants him to be one.) There is profound spiritual wisdom in such a simple phrase as it acknowledges with humility that God holds everything in His all-powerful and loving hands. We do make decisions and plans, but as men and women of faith we are called to seek and cooperate with God’s plan for us.

We are just three days away from Christmas. Will our world be better this Christmas? Will there be fewer people who are proud and more people who are humble? Will the hunger of many people around the world be satisfied? Will we really care to respond to the needs of the oppressed and the marginalized? Mary’sMagnificat is a strong statement of hope for those who are overwhelmed with reasons to give up and lose hope. Many of those who are immersed in this world’s misery are already tired perhaps of asking the question, “Will God ever keep His promise to us?” He surely will, but He also counts on the generosity and commitment of our response to His message.

Mary offered herself totally and undividedly to God’s plan. Her generosity was such that she allowed God to make of her the best instrument for the coming of His Kingdom on earth. Her dream embraced the whole of history and humanity. Her “Yes” to God had to do with the feeding of the hungry, the lifting up of the lowly, and the transformation of the love for power into the power of love. As a woman of faith, Mary had the courage to dream of a new earth especially for the poor and the marginalized. She firmly believed that God will bring His Kingdom to fulfillment among us.The reign of the proud, the ruthless and the mighty will finally come to an end.

Our world will change for the better if we can accept with humility and commitment God’s Word who desires to make His dwelling among us. Our lives will be very different if we can put God’s plan over and above our own, and follow it even at the expense of our own shortsighted dreams and visions.

• Fr. Edwin Fernandez, SVD (DWC, Vigan Ilocos Sur)

The Word in other words 2015

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.

	Production : Fr. Carlos Maria de Guzman, Jr., SVD Staff of Logos Publications
	Cover Design : Malou E. Domingo
	Liturgical Calendar : Fr. Atilano Corcuera, SVD
	Production Consultant : Fr. Gerardo del Pinado, SVD
	Scriptural Texts : New American Bible and Daily Roman Missal
	Cover artwork based on photos by Fr. Bar Fabella, SVD
	Published by : Logos Publications, Inc. 1916 Oroquieta St., Sta. Cruz, Manila
	Email Address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Telephone : +63 2 711 1323
	Fax : +63 2 732 273
Copyright © 2012 Society of the Divine Word

 

THE WORD

Sg 2: 8–14 or Zeph 3: 14–18 / Lk 1: 39–45

During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

IN OTHER WORDS

One more mile, one more smile! Mama Mary reminds us today what a true missionary is. She travelled many miles from Nazareth to Ein Kerem to be with, and to be of help to, her cousin Elizabeth who was infanticipating. She too was pregnant, but she went out of her way, left her comfort zone, braved the discomforts and dangers of the journey, to be present with her cousin. A missionary is one who goes the extra mile to give one more smile.

There are two things we must remember if we want to keep on going the extra mile and to keep on giving the extra smile. First, we must focus on our blessings, not on what is missing. If we focus on the could-have-beens and should-have-beens in our lives, we will not live grateful and fruitful lives. Second, we must focus on our mission, not so much on our personal “konsumisyon”. If we focus on our problems and pains, we will not radiate the Gospel joy and hope which are so much needed in our world today.

Let us follow the example of Mama Mary so that we too will become true missionaries who live “magnificat” and not “mabigat” lives!

• Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD (DWMC, Batangas City)

The Word in other words 2015

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.

	Production : Fr. Carlos Maria de Guzman, Jr., SVD Staff of Logos Publications
	Cover Design : Malou E. Domingo
	Liturgical Calendar : Fr. Atilano Corcuera, SVD
	Production Consultant : Fr. Gerardo del Pinado, SVD
	Scriptural Texts : New American Bible and Daily Roman Missal
	Cover artwork based on photos by Fr. Bar Fabella, SVD
	Published by : Logos Publications, Inc. 1916 Oroquieta St., Sta. Cruz, Manila
	Email Address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Telephone : +63 2 711 1323
	Fax : +63 2 732 273
Copyright © 2012 Society of the Divine Word