Commentary and Reflections on the Readings

December 25, 2014

Solemnity of the Lord’s Birth

Midnight Mass

Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

First Reading: Isaiah 9,1-6 1 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great

light. Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. 2 You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as men make merry when dividing spoils. 3 For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. 4 For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames. 5 For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. 6 His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David's throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!The focus is on the child born.

First Reading: Isaiah 9,1-6Light 1 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Upon

those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. 2 You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as men make merry when dividing spoils.

Oppression no more 3 For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the

rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. 4 For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames.

Child is born (King) 5 For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder

dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. 6 His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David's throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

A simple outline!

First Reading: Isaiah 9,1-6Light 1 The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light. Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. 2 You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as men make merry when dividing spoils.

Oppression no more 3 For the yoke that burdened them, the

pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. 4 For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames.

Child is born (King) 5 For a child is born to us, a son is given

us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. 6 His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David's throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

Commentary The passage portrays God

acting upon his people, who were once in the dark: They now see the light. V.1 They now greatly rejoice. V.2

The author, who lived in Jerusalem, employs parallelism and metaphors.

Vv.3-4 give the reasons why people are rejoicing: God has destroyed the yoke, the

pole, and the rod and also the boots of war (instrument of oppression).

V.5 states the main reason of rejoicing: a child is born, a king.

A simple outline!

Reflections on the 1st reading The reading helps us reflect the meaning of the birth of the

Messiah. It introduces us to who he is. With him, we see light. With him, we stop walking in darkness and confusion. The Messiah is here to liberate us from oppression, and to

give justice. Do you know what oppression means and how to fight it? Do you know how to give justice? When you accomplish these things, you will enjoy peace.

Resp. Ps. 96,1-2.2-3.11-12.13 R. (Lk 2:11)Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

1 Sing to the LORD a new song;sing to the LORD, all you lands.2 Sing to the LORD; bless his name.

2 Announce his salvation, day after day.3 Tell his glory among the nations;among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.

11 Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;let the sea and what fills it resound;12 let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.

13 They shall exult before the LORD, for he comes;for he comes to rule the earth.He shall rule the world with justiceand the peoples with his constancy.

Resp. Ps. 96,1-2.2-3.11-12.13 R. (Lk 2:11)Today is born our Savior,

Christ the Lord.

1 Sing to the LORD a new song;sing to the LORD, all you lands.2 Sing to the LORD; bless his name.

2 Announce his salvation, day after day.3 Tell his glory among the nations;among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.

11 Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;let the sea and what fills it resound;12 let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.

13 They shall exult before the LORD, for he comes;for he comes to rule the earth.He shall rule the world with justiceand the peoples with his constancy.

Commentary The psalm is classified as

Royal Psalm of Yahweh King. The psalm invites us to rejoice

by singing and blessing his name. vv.1-2

by announcing his salvation and telling his glory and wondrous deeds. vv.2-3

In vv.11-13, the heavens (sky), the earth, the sea, the plains… all these vast spaces and all their contents must rejoice / exult too.

Reason: The Lord is coming to rule

with justice and constancy (consistency).

Reflections on the Psalm In this season of Christmas, it is but proper that

all humans and all creatures celebrate. We celebrate because God’s coming means

good governance and justice. We rejoice to welcome God’s intervention in our

lives. We rejoice by singing songs and announcing

his salvation day after day.

Second Reading: Titus 2,11-14

11 The grace of God has appeared, saving all 12 and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, 13 as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.

The focus is on the grace of God.

Second Reading: Titus 2,11-14 11 The grace of God

has appeared, saving all 12 and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, 13 as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.

Commentary V.11 talks about the grace of God. It

does the following: saves us trains us to reject godlessness and

worldly desires trains us to live temperately, justly

and devoutly (v.12) V.13 talks about the coming of Jesus

Christ (great God and savior). V.14 describes what Christ does to

us: To save us from lawlessness

(anomia) To cleanse us, to make us eager to

do good.

Reflections on the 2nd reading When Christ comes, he teaches us to be just and God-

fearing. Christ does not like anarchy, lawlessness and abuse. If we follow God’s laws, we live in the grace of God. Do you know how to follow God’s laws? Are you living in God’s grace? Are you eager to do what is good?

Gospel: Luke 2,1-14Decree of Augustus 1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the

whole world should be enrolled. 2 This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

Conformity 3 So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph

too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

Birth of Jesus 6 While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, 7

and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Shepherds 8 Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and

keeping the night watch over their flock. Angel of the Lord 9 The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord

shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. Announcement of the birth of the Messiah 10 The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim

to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.“

Heavenly Host with the Angel 13 And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with

the angel, praising God and saying: 14 "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

Commentary The passage starts with the decree of Augustus, the

emperor of the Roman Empire. Census had a military (drafting, recruitment) and economic purpose (taxation). Rome controlled Palestine through Syria, a more strategic place, than Jerusalem or any part of Israel.

As descendants of David, Joseph and Mary (with child) feel obliged. They report to Bethlehem. The story does not follow up if they were able to enroll. It is presumed.

Commentary, con’t Immediately the author tells the birth of the child

in a few words: Mary had labor and gave birth to a child and

wrapped him in swaddling clothes, laid him in a manger.

Why manger? No room in the inn. No more relatives?

Commentary, con’t The author immediately shifts the attention to the

shepherds. The angel informs the shepherds of the birth of Jesus. It

is good news. The angel repeats the details. In deeper analysis, it

seems, it is not at all good news for a savior to be wrapped in swaddling clothes, laid in a manger.

Then the author shifts the attention to the heavenly host (army) with the angel, singing “Glory to God…”

Reflection on the gospel reading Though the Messiah is born in a humble place, his birth

calls for a big celebration. It is not only an earthly celebration, but also heavenly. Like the shepherds, we are enjoined to participate in

this joyful celebration. It is God’s will that heaven and earth rejoice at the birth

of his Son. God does not care whether his Son is laid in a

manger… It does not remove his dignity as his Son or as a descendant of David.

Are you able to rejoice at Jesus’ birth? Have you prepared something for the celebration?

Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm

The first reading speaks of the birth of a child (king). The psalm enjoins people to rejoice because of the

coming of God, as ruler. The second reading speaks of the coming of the grace

of God (not so much his birth, but his second coming) to help us lead blameless lives.

The gospel speaks of the birth of the Savior, which heaven and earth celebrates.

How to develop your homily / sharing It is Christmas. We must rejoice. We must celebrate. Who are we not to celebrate?

We celebrate our own birthdays. Should we not celebrate with joy and rejoicing the birth of Jesus, our Savior?

The readings coach us to celebrate. The first reading tells us to rejoice

because with the birth of the King-Child-Messiah, we will now see the light, justice will be given us.

The new King will rule us with wisdom and understanding, not like the other kings of Israel.

The second reading encourages us to rejoice, because we have hope.

Hope comes along with the coming of Jesus, even in his second coming.

Joy comes as a result of following God’s laws.

Obedience to God leads us to joy.

The gospel reading provides us the reason, par excellence, to rejoice.

We rejoice because the Savior is born. We rejoice because even the heavenly host

and the angel are rejoicing, singing “Glory to God…”

We rejoice because we have peace as God’s gift.

Our Church, the Catholic Church, teaches us that we can best rejoice by attending and actively participating in the Mass.

The eucharist cannot be replaced by any party, noche buena, gift-giving, ballroom dancing, visit of relatives or friends and watching our favorite films through our latest gadgets, selfieing in the restos or going to the parks on the eve of, or, on December 25.

Our Church does not recognize any substitute for the eucharist.

Catholics should not be misguided by consumerism and commercialism. Today they should make it a point to attend Mass.

This Christmas is a call to rejoice, by transcending all our frustrations, pains and woundedness.

We respond in faith, believing that we can live on a higher level of existence, not dwelling so much on our miseries and poverty.

We live by the promises and spirit of Christmas: salvation, liberation, peace, justice and joy.

We celebrate Christmas by participating in the eucharist.

Jesus is born again in us in the eucharist. There is joy in the eucharist. You can feel it

when you prepare for the mass and receive Jesus in his word and eucharist.

The eucharist is the Bethlehem alive. In the Mass, we re-live the first Christmas.

Our Context of Sin and Grace Too much eating and

drinking No eucharist on the eve

of Christmas or on Christmas Day itself

Failure to attend the Mass today

Unable to overcome sadness

Focus on shopping

Reception of the Holy Eucharist

Rejoicing with the family and the community

Welcoming the birth of Jesus in church in the eucharistic celebration

Suggested Songs

On the Night When Christ was born https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=aPCqP_0iyoo&list=PL4ArSE1xnHC6SBNqCckrWmUDec2-R6s32&index=7

Ding Dong https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=kK25Nap44Ik&index=6&list=PL4ArSE1xnHC6SBNqCckrWmUDec2-R6s32