FAUSTS - The center of these first chapters is the "tactile" knowledge of God that Mary has in generating, wrapping and placing her son in the manger. The scene that is given to us to contemplate is the historical fact, unique, that happened two thousand years ago, first narrated, then announced as a sign that gives meaning to the whole story, and finally lived by the shepherds... Through the story that Mary first told to Luke, the pastor who became the announcer, who transmitted it to us, we too are called to contemplate and touch with her the very Word of Life. Like the first shepherds, we too become heralds of the Word: "A Saviour who is Christ the Lord was born for you today". The same proclamation, from mouth to mouth, through the shepherds who have become evangelists, transmits to us the fulfillment of God's promise. The today of the birth of the Saviour is realized everywhere it is announced and believed, as with the shepherds who set out on their way to see Him. After the words of the Angel, Heaven is opened and men can attend the heavenly liturgy that takes place over this Child. To this celestial liturgy, opened by the announcement that gives the interpretation, corresponds a earthly liturgy, of poor people, obedient to the Word, that runs to see a poor child, of whom it believes "what the Lord has notified". They, after having experienced what has been said to them, in turn announce it. In these pastors, the first listeners who in turn are proclaimers, the Church appears. The Church is born from the proclamation, verifies its salvation today and transmits it again to others with the announcement. It is a Church of the poor and the last ones , like the Announced oneself. By virtue of her faith, she recognizes, proclaims, glorifies and praises God who has revealed Himself in the powerlessness of Jesus. Her condition of limit is surpassed in the transmission by the proclamation, which expands the space of the Community to the ends of the earth and opens the time to eternity.
Reading 1 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." Responsorial Psalm PS 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8. R. (2a) May God bless us in his mercy. May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation. R. May God bless us in his mercy. May the nations be glad and exult because you rule the peoples in equity; the nations on the earth you guide. R. May God bless us in his mercy. May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you! May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him! R. May God bless us in his mercy. Reading 2 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. Alleluia HEB 1:1-2 R. Alleluia, alleluia. In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel LK 2:16-21 The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem 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, reflecting 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.
FAUSTS - The center of these first chapters is the "tactile" knowledge of God that Mary has in generating, wrapping and placing her son in the manger. The scene that is given to us to contemplate is the historical fact, unique, that happened two thousand years ago, first narrated, then announced as a sign that gives meaning to the whole story, and finally lived by the shepherds...
RispondiEliminaThrough the story that Mary first told to Luke, the pastor who became the announcer, who transmitted it to us, we too are called to contemplate and touch with her the very Word of Life. Like the first shepherds, we too become heralds of the Word: "A Saviour who is Christ the Lord was born for you today". The same proclamation, from mouth to mouth, through the shepherds who have become evangelists, transmits to us the fulfillment of God's promise.
The today of the birth of the Saviour is realized everywhere it is announced and believed, as with the shepherds who set out on their way to see Him. After the words of the Angel, Heaven is opened and men can attend the heavenly liturgy that takes place over this Child.
To this celestial liturgy, opened by the announcement that gives the interpretation, corresponds a earthly liturgy, of poor people, obedient to the Word, that runs to see a poor child, of whom it believes "what the Lord has notified".
They, after having experienced what has been said to them, in turn announce it.
In these pastors, the first listeners who in turn are proclaimers, the Church appears.
The Church is born from the proclamation, verifies its salvation today and transmits it again to others with the announcement. It is a Church of the poor and the last ones , like the Announced oneself.
By virtue of her faith, she recognizes, proclaims, glorifies and praises God who has revealed Himself in the powerlessness of Jesus. Her condition of limit is surpassed in the transmission by the proclamation, which expands the space of the Community to the ends of the earth and opens the time to eternity.
Reading 1 NM 6:22-27
RispondiEliminaThe 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."
Responsorial Psalm PS 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8.
R. (2a) May God bless us in his mercy.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
Reading 2 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.
Alleluia HEB 1:1-2
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel LK 2:16-21
The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem 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,
reflecting 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.