Gospel (Lk 2.16-21)
16 So they certainly 'delay, and found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in the manger. 17 When they saw, told what the child had been told. 18 All those who heard it wondered at what the shepherds said. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as they were told.
21 When they were eight days to be circumcised, he was given the name Jesus, as had been called by first conceived in the womb.
The Gospel today is a continuation of the track bed on Christmas night. Next to the cradle of Jesus appear again the shepherds (vv. 16-17).
Following the announcement received from heaven, they go to Bethlehem and find Joseph, Mary and the child lying in the manger.
Note: do not find anything extraordinary. They only see a child with his father and mother. Yet, that being weak, in need of help and protection, they recognize the Savior. They do not need extraordinary signs, miracles and wonders do not occur. The shepherds are all poor, the excluded that, almost instinctively, recognize the child of Bethlehem the Messiah of Heaven. In
representations are usually referenced in the shepherds kneeling before Jesus But the gospel does not say that they have paid homage, as did the Magi (Matthew 2:11). They were simply to observe - amazed, delighted - the marvelous work that God had done for them, then they announced their joy to others and how well they listened to them remained amazed (v. 18).
In the early chapters of his Gospel, Luke notes often wonder and joy irrepressible people who feel involved in the plan of God Elisabeth, discovered she was pregnant, he repeats to all: "That's what he did for me to the Lord "(Lk 1:25), Simeon and the prophetess Anna bless God who gave them to see the salvation prepared for all nations (Luke 2,30.38), Mary and Joseph are also surprised, astonished (Lk 2 , 33.48). All of them have
eyes and the baby's heart that they looked to each act of the father, is kidnapped in front of her every gesture and smiles, smiles because all that the father is a sign takes of his love. "The kingdom of God belongs to those who are like them - Jesus said one day - and who does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter therein" (Mark 10:14-15).
The first concern of pastors is not an ethical issue: do not ask what should be done, which will make corrections to their moral life is not always exemplary, what sins will have to undertake to prevent ... They stop to rejoice in what God has done. Then, only after feeling loved are able to listen to the advice, proposals for their new life turned from the Father. Only then will you find the right condition to grant trust.
In the second part of the gospel (v. 19) is underlined Mary's reaction to the story of the shepherds, "kept all these things and pondered them in her heart" (literally: put them together).
Luca does not mean that Mary "kept in mind everything that happened, not to mention any details. Nor will - as some have claimed - to indicate its source of information Maria childhood of Jesus The extent of his theological statement is much greater. He says that Mary put together the facts, linked them together and get a sense he knew, he discovered the thread , contemplated the realization of God's plan Maria (girl of twelve or thirteen years old) was not superficial, not praised when things were going well and not become discouraged by the difficulties. Meditated, watched with keen eye every event, not being influenced by the ideas, beliefs, traditions of his people, and prepared to be receptive to the surprises of God
A certain devotion to Mary has departed from our world and our human condition, our anxieties, our doubts and uncertainties, our difficulty in believing. He enveloped in a cloud of privileges - as appropriate - have made it envy or admire but not love.
Luke has the right perspective, as sister who has completed a journey of faith is not different from our .
Maria does not understand everything from the beginning: is surprised by what Simeon says of the child, it is almost taken by surprise (Lk 2:33). You will be amazed surprise as the apostles and all the people in front of the works of God (Luke 9.43-45). It does not include the words of his son who has chosen to deal with the things of his Father (Luke 2.50), as the Twelve have difficulty understanding the Master's words: "I do not understand any of this, this saying was hidden from them and did not understand what he had said "(Luke 18.34).
Maria does not understand, but notes, listen, ponder, reflect, and after Easter (not before!) Will understand everything, you will see a clear sense of what happened.
Luke recur, for the last time at the beginning of the book of Acts. This will put in place in the community of believers: "They were all devoted themselves to prayer, together with several women, including Mary, the mother of Jesus and his brothers" (Acts 1:14). She, the blessed because she believed (Lk 1:45).
Today's Gospel ends with the memory of circumcision . With this ritual, Jesus became an official part of the people of Israel. But this is not the main reason why Luke recalls the fact. It is another detail that's interesting, is the name given to the child, whose name was not chosen parents, but was given directly from heaven.
for the peoples of the ancient East, the name was not only a means to specify the persons to distinguish animals, to identify objects. It was much more expressed the very nature of things, it formed one with the wearer. Abigail tells her husband: "He is exactly what its name suggests. It is called Nabal (literally, "crazy") and is not in him that folly "(1 Sam 25,25). Be called by the name of another meant to impersonate, make it present, to have his own authority, call the guard (Dt 28.10).
With this cultural context, we can understand the importance that Luke gives the name given to the child. His name is Jesus which means The Lord saves . Matthew explains: was so named because it will save his people from their sins (Mt 1.21).
The commentary said the first reading that the name of God - YHWH - could not be pronounced. But nameless remains anonymous. Who does not know our name can only create a superficial relationship with us.
If God wanted to enter into dialogue with the man had to tell him how he wanted to be called, should indicate his name, to reveal his identity.
He did. Click on the name of his Son, God says who he is.
Here is his identity: one who saves, who does nothing but save. In the Gospels this name is repeated 566 times per well, as if to remind us that images of God are incompatible with this name should be erased.
now understand why in the Old Testament God did not allow it to be given his name because only Jesus would tell us who he was.
is interesting to note who they are, in Luke's Gospel, those who call Jesus by name. They are not saints, the righteous, the perfect, but only the marginalized, those who are at the mercy of evil forces. Are possessed (Luke 4:34), the lepers, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us" (Luke 17:13), the blind man: "Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me" (Lk 18.38 ) and the criminal who dies on the cross next to him: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" (Luke 23.42).
I remember Peter from the religious leaders of his people: "No other name under heaven has been given among men, which can be saved."
Fernando Armellini (biblical scholar)
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