Breaking the Word – Page 2157 – Rev. Dr. Victor Antonyraj SDB

23.12.11 CELEBRATIONS

Posted under Reflections on December 22nd, 2011 by

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." …(Lk 1:57-66)

Birth of a child was a celebration in those days. Celebration reached its peak because a barren woman gave birth to a son. Relatives and friends gathered around the family to celebrate. The celebration was centred on the idea that God had shown mercy. Birth of every child was divine action. God was praised and thanked for the birth of a child.

Circumcision was again an action in which Israelites remembered the covenant which God made with Abraham. It was a sign of God covenant with the people. It was a constant reminder of the promise of God. As birth was a celebration of God’s mercy so also Circumcision was a celebration of God’s Covenant and promise.

Naming of the child was again an another occasion in which God’s divine action was celebrated. It was all the more in the case of John because the name was given from God. It was not a social event. They were not naming him after his father or his forefathers. Name was a divine revelation. In this triple celebration Zacharias praised and blessed God for his divine intervention; for his covenant; for his promise and for his revelation.

22.12.11 GOD OF PROMISE

Posted under Reflections on December 21st, 2011 by

And 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. (Lk 1:46-56)

Mary sees everything in God’s perspective. Whatever happens in life is the work of God and she proclaims the greatness of God. Mary also sees the saving act of God. People of Israel began their faith-life after their experience of God in His saving act in Egypt. Right from that moment God has been continuing His saving act.

This saviour-God is not a one who acts for a group of people only. He also acts individually to every person. Mary has experienced this Saviour-God of Israel as the personal saviour-God. She calls Him my saviour (God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness). This God does the very same thing to everyone (His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him).

He does not upset things in the world as we often think (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). Mary sees these actions of God as actions of mercy and fulfillment of his promise. God is the God who fulfills his promise and this is done through His actions of mercy.