Today's Gospel Reading - Sunday, December 23, 2012 with Reflection

1^ST READING - Micah 5:1-4

P S A L M - Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19

R: Lord, make us turn to you, let us see your face and we shall be saved.

 

2 O shepherd of Israel, hearken, from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth. 3 Rouse your power, and come to save us. (R)15 Once again, O Lord of hosts, look down from heaven, and see; take care of this vine, 16 and protect what your right hand has planted the son of man whom you yourself made strong. (R) 18 May your help be with the man of your right hand, with the son of man whom you yourself made strong. 19Then we will no more withdraw from you; give us new life, and we will call upon your name. (R)

2^nd READING - Hebrews 10:5-10

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.

 

Luke 1:39-45

39 Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

SABBATH

O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM   Micah lived in a difficult time. There was political pressure from Assyria, and the Northern Kingdom was totally destroyed by that powerful nation. The kings in Jerusalem were also not the leaders the nation needed. No wonder that the prophets began to dream of a great leader who would unite the tribes once more and bring peace and prosperity to the nation. Who was such a leader? Most prophets began to look back to David who, after many wars, brought unity and prosperity to Israel. They were dreaming of another David. And that’s the background of today’s first reading that mentions Bethlehem, the town where David was born and grew up: “But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; whose origin is from of old, from ancient times.” Micah was dreaming of another powerful political leader like King David who would once more bring peace and unity, not knowing that God had different plans. Jesus, also born in Bethlehem according to Matthew and Luke, would be a different leader. He would not be a political leader who would go into war, but a spiritual leader, humbly serving humankind and bringing spiritual salvation. He would be born in Beth-Lehem, which means “House of Bread,” and resting in a manger, a container for animal food – foreshadowing what He would do for His people: giving Himself as spiritual food, as “Bread of Life,” in the Eucharistic bread. We could say that every church where the Eucharistic bread is kept is a “Bethlehem” where Jesus continues to strengthen us for our often difficult journey through life. He enters into our hearts and lives there so that we become living tabernacles. When we sing these days, “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” we should not forget what the name of this town signifies and deepen our love and reverence for the Bread of Life, Jesus, our Savior. Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD   REFLECTION QUESTION: Do you receive Holy Communion always conscious of the real presence of Jesus?   Lord, thank You for reminding me of the meaning of Bethlehem. Help me to be always conscious that You continue to share Yourself with me whenever I receive the Bread of Life, Holy Communion. St. John of Kanty, priest, pray for us.

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