4th Sunday of Advent (B)

(Edited) Reflections for 4th Sunday of Advent (B), December 18, 2011

Liturgical readings

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-11, 16
Psalm 89
Romans 16:25-27
Luke 1:26-38

"For nothing will be impossible for God."

Faith and obedience to God is a virtue that is needed more in the present times. Even with all advancements in science and technology, the human heart has basically remained the same (still in need of redemption from God). All humanity inherited a heart from Adam and Eve - one that disobeyed God and chose to do what is against His will. But God did not give up on this disobedience. He chose Mary (conceived without sin - the Immaculate Conception), to bring back into the world the virtues of obedience, purity, faith and confidence in God. This simple maiden, this humble virgin from Nazareth, became the instrument by which God will place back in the heart of humanity His Word - a Word that speaks the golden rule, to lead us back to a life in union with God.

God's ways are above our own. And nothing is impossible with Him. From the human point of view, Mary's conceiving the Word as a virgin is both a miracle and a mystery (as with the conception of Elizabeth in her old age). If learned systems of logic are suspended, and a direction to trust in God is followed, (as exemplified by Mary), all can gradually practice the same virtues she practiced. To trust God in His Word, to trust God in His Church, and to trust God in the very ordinary circumstances all live and work in, is the mustard seed of faith that will eventually bear a fruitful harvest for each - the presence of Christ in our hearts and in our lives.

In Catholic devotion, Mary has a special role in the history of salvation. Her role was unique that Christians in both the Eastern and Western traditions naturally turn to her and devote their lives and their projects to God through her intercession. After Jesus, she is the most loved in prayer and spirituality. It was her who, "undid" the disobedience of Eve's heart (by her obedience). By Mary's faith in God's will, she bore Jesus, who also, "undid" the disobedience of Adam's heart (by His obedience unto death upon a Cross), and provided a path for all to follow - a path that can make humanity see the wisdom of following the golden rule in this life, so as to share in the eternal life Jesus promises.

Mary the Dawn, Christ the Perfect Day

An anonymous poet wrote a poem that speaks metaphorically of the relationship between Jesus and His mother Mary. This poem is one of the hymns suggested for the Morning Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours' "Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary". The poem now exists in its edited form by the Dominican Sisters of Summit (1972). The poems reads as follows:

Mary the dawn, Christ the Perfect Day;
Mary the gate, Christ the Heavenly Way!
Mary the root, Christ the Mystic Vine;
Mary the grape, Christ the Sacred Wine!
Mary the wheat, Christ the Living Bread;
Mary the stem, Christ the Rose blood-red!
Mary the font, Christ the Cleansing Flood;
Mary the cup, Christ the Saving Blood!
Mary the temple, Christ the temple's Lord;
Mary the shrine, Christ the God adored!
Mary the beacon, Christ the Haven's Rest;
Mary the mirror, Christ the Vision Blest!
Mary the mother, Christ the mother's Son
By all things blest while endless ages run. Amen.

In just fourteen lines, the anonymous poet gives us a glimpse of that deep mystery of the Incarnation. The poet uses symbols to express the relationship of the divine to the human. This is an excellent poem to meditate when there is an opportunity to strengthen devotion to Mary and Jesus, especially the twin hearts of Jesus and Mary (the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary).

Many theologians and scholars who study aspects of Marian devotion would want to see this poem also expressed in religious art. Some religious art portray only the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. There are statues or paintings which present Mary alone in the artist's presentation. Modern theologians and scholars would prefer that religious artists portray Mary and Jesus together in whatever medium they use (like Mary holding the Child Jesus in her arms, or like the sculptured image of the "Pieta"). This way of presenting Jesus and Mary in religious art will help the faithful really see (as in the poem) how Mary is related to the mission and ministry of Christ Jesus.

If the reader were to use his imagination to extend the above poem to more metaphors, then he can add his own personal spiritual insights to the poem mentioned above.

As an example, one can add:

Mary the ark, Christ the Rainbow's Promise
Mary the star, Christ the Newborn King
Mary the tree, Christ the Sacred Fruit
Mary the chalice, Christ the Eternal Spring
Mary the womb, Christ the Word Enfleshed
Mary the well, Christ the Living Water

In the books of St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort (Secret of Mary and True Devotion to Mary), one can find so many symbols and metaphors that also present the relationship of Jesus and Mary as in the poem given above. Montfort is an expert in presenting Mary as the best way to obtain Christ, the Eternal Wisdom of God. He attests to a part of the Litany of Mary where Mary is presented as the "Seat of Wisdom".

Sources of this blog post

• The Who's Who of Heaven: Saints for All Seasons, by Msgr. John P. Kleinz
• God Alone, by Montfort Publications, Inc.

Loaves and Fishes by Joseph Grassi

Loaves and Fish

By Joseph A. Grassi

Introduction

One key to understanding the New Testament is to look at it from the angle of Christ's use of meals in His ministry and preaching. This was a discovery made by studies of biblical scholars using modern tools that help understand the "food language" in the Gospels. They also point out that this has a counterpart in the Old Testament, through the "manna" eaten by the Israelites in the book of Exodus. The book, "Loaves and Fishes", by Joseph A. Grassi, says that the gospels are not merely "food for thought and reflection", but rather refer to actual food or bread, which is found in almost every page of the four gospels. Grassi's book, studies this food language by analyzing the miraculous feeding narratives (the multiplication of the loaves) in each of the four gospels.

Analyzing Matthew 14:13-21

When this passage of the gospel is read every 18th Sunday of the Year (A), one will notice that it comes from Matthew's version of the multiplication of the loaves. Author Grassi makes an analysis and comparative study of this passage. He says that the mentioning of five thousand men, not counting women and children, is a custom that goes back to ancient times when meals and banquets were usually men's affairs. However, when the women and children were included in the text of the gospel, Grassi sees this as in agreement with the emphasis on the theme of family provided by Matthew in his gospel. One has only to note that Matthew mentions in his first two chapters the names of Joseph, Mary, and the child Jesus frequently (indicating the theme of family).

Parallel study of Matthew 14:19 and Matthew 26:26

Author Grassi also takes the gospel verse of Matthew 14:19 and makes a parallel study of it with the text of Matthew 26:26 (on the Last Supper passage). He says that the action of blessing done by Jesus in both these gospel verses show a striking similarity.

• Matthew 14:19 (on the Feeding of the Five Thousand)


• took the five loaves and two fish
• [he] blessed
• and broke them
• and gave the loaves
• to the disciples


• Matthew 26:26 (on the Last Supper event)


• took bread
• [he] blessed it
• broke it
• gave it [the bread]
• to his disciples

And when one also looks at the words of the Eucharistic Prayer I of the Holy Mass, you will also find an important similarity

• Eucharistic Prayer I (Holy Mass liturgy)


• he took bread in his sacred hands
• he gave you [Father] thanks and praise
• He broke the bread
• gave it [the bread]
• to his disciples

The Eucharist Prayer I of the Holy Mass

From these parallels, one can see how the words of consecration in the Eucharistic Prayer I of the Mass, takes its source from both the miracle account of the multiplication of the loaves and the Last Supper event. Author Grassi also mentions in a special way how the last phrase "to the [his] disciples" conveys an important meaning for Catholics today: that this sequence in which Jesus' action of giving the bread to the disciples, and the disciples also giving the loaves to the crowd (in the event of the multiplication of the loaves), invites all the Catholic faithful (clergy, religious and lay) to continue this Eucharistic tradition in the Church. All Catholics of all walks of life are to participate in the Eucharistic action of sharing and giving Jesus (the Bread of Life) by extending the Eucharistic spirit of charity to all people in the particular situations of their life and work.

Outline of Joseph A. Grassi's book

There are many more details in Grassi's interpretation. His book actually encompasses the four feeding narratives in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. For those interested to learn more of what is found in this New Testament study, Grassi's book is outlined as follows:

• The Four Feeding Narratives in Parallel Columns
• Antecedent Biblical Feeding Motifs
• The Markan Feeding Narratives
• The Matthean Version
• The Lukan Version
• The Johannine Version
• General Conclusion: Bread, a Central Issue in the Four Gospels

Biographical information on Grassi

Author Joseph A. Grassi is a professor in the department of religious studies at Santa Clara University. His interest in the feeding narratives also has its pastoral side: he has initiated in many churches the Skip-A Meal program to provide food for the hungry. His other books are: "God Makes Me Laugh: A New Approach to Luke"; "The Hidden Heroes of the Gospels"; and "Children's Liberation: A Biblical Perspective".