The Diocese of Southeast Florida
The Bible Challenge
Zechariah 7&8; Psalm 137; Mark 15
Dear Friends…
Could it be that the authors of The Bible Challenge intentionally chose these specific readings assigned to us for Day 363? Or, were the selections somehow dropped on us this 25th of December by a mysterious, pre-ordained Divine rationale? Why in God’s good name would we be reading passages filled with displacement, mourning, suffering and death on this Joy-filled, holy Feast of the Incarnation? Why?
Let’s explore today’s readings to assist us in our understanding. We read in the 7th Chapter of Zechariah where God’s people are suffering in Babylon. They are displaced and in deep despair because of their disobedience to the Lord. The Psalmist also laments because of the pain of God’s exiled. Yet, Zechariah in Chapter 8 swiftly brings words of promise to restore the beleaguered Jews. “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away…” signifies the relationship between God and God’s chosen. Divine providential care seems to be held in the balance of quid pro quo; sinning causes divine retribution while repenting brings salvation. Hold this thought.
Now let’s reflect on Jesus’ arrest, trial, conviction, beating, crucifixion, death, burial and all the horrible emotions which these events thrust upon those who loved him, especially his mom. How does Luke’s passion narrative make it possible for us to say, “Merry Christmas!”? It doesn’t! But yes.., it does! It’s all a part of the same picture.
Do you remember the scene in Mary Poppins where she, the children and Burt are about to jump into a sidewalk chalk painting of a country landscape? Once they jumped into that magical portrait a whole new world opened up for them. They engaged in many exciting adventures which were unimaginable standing on the outside.
The Incarnation is the Portrait. Our spiritual God, made flesh, proclaimed forever holy the flesh and blood of our mortal nature. With the conception and birth of God’s Word we are given the gift of our entryway: Jesus. We jump into the sketch of our Divine intimacy through the waters of Baptism. Once we’re “in” all the potential adventures of a Divine life become ours!
But, God’s holy life for us came at a price. It resulted in the disobedience and suffering of his people Israel as they lost their identity in a foreign land. It took Jesus to face the pain and agony of all the power that Sin could force upon Him. Defeating Satan’s darkness with the Authority of Love, Jesus conquered Death once and forever. Through Jesus’ suffering, death, burial and resurrection we are given an abundance of Grace in this life and life eternal when our mortal vessels rest.
Today, we can say “Merry Christmas!” with the certain joy that God is our great Artist. Without Mary’s “Yes!” there would be no birth of the Messiah. Without Jesus’ “Yes!” there would be no perfect Lamb to offer for our Sin. Without God’s call of the Israelites and their centuries old turbulent relationship of disobedience and repentance, there would be no Davidic line from which the Christ would be born. Without ADAM there would be no original Sin and no need at all for the portrait God has painted for us over these thousands of years of our Salvation History. But God’s artistic rendering is real. It is our story of disobedience and sin redeemed through God’s faithful, never failing love relationship with us.
Maybe, just maybe, that is why we are given scripture readings familiar to Good Friday on this most Joy-filled celebration of God’s Incarnation.
A Very Blessed and Merry Christmas to you and yours….
Fr. Bernie
St. Martin, Pompano Beach
The Bible Challenge
Zechariah 7&8; Psalm 137; Mark 15
Dear Friends…
Could it be that the authors of The Bible Challenge intentionally chose these specific readings assigned to us for Day 363? Or, were the selections somehow dropped on us this 25th of December by a mysterious, pre-ordained Divine rationale? Why in God’s good name would we be reading passages filled with displacement, mourning, suffering and death on this Joy-filled, holy Feast of the Incarnation? Why?
Let’s explore today’s readings to assist us in our understanding. We read in the 7th Chapter of Zechariah where God’s people are suffering in Babylon. They are displaced and in deep despair because of their disobedience to the Lord. The Psalmist also laments because of the pain of God’s exiled. Yet, Zechariah in Chapter 8 swiftly brings words of promise to restore the beleaguered Jews. “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away…” signifies the relationship between God and God’s chosen. Divine providential care seems to be held in the balance of quid pro quo; sinning causes divine retribution while repenting brings salvation. Hold this thought.
Now let’s reflect on Jesus’ arrest, trial, conviction, beating, crucifixion, death, burial and all the horrible emotions which these events thrust upon those who loved him, especially his mom. How does Luke’s passion narrative make it possible for us to say, “Merry Christmas!”? It doesn’t! But yes.., it does! It’s all a part of the same picture.
Do you remember the scene in Mary Poppins where she, the children and Burt are about to jump into a sidewalk chalk painting of a country landscape? Once they jumped into that magical portrait a whole new world opened up for them. They engaged in many exciting adventures which were unimaginable standing on the outside.
The Incarnation is the Portrait. Our spiritual God, made flesh, proclaimed forever holy the flesh and blood of our mortal nature. With the conception and birth of God’s Word we are given the gift of our entryway: Jesus. We jump into the sketch of our Divine intimacy through the waters of Baptism. Once we’re “in” all the potential adventures of a Divine life become ours!
But, God’s holy life for us came at a price. It resulted in the disobedience and suffering of his people Israel as they lost their identity in a foreign land. It took Jesus to face the pain and agony of all the power that Sin could force upon Him. Defeating Satan’s darkness with the Authority of Love, Jesus conquered Death once and forever. Through Jesus’ suffering, death, burial and resurrection we are given an abundance of Grace in this life and life eternal when our mortal vessels rest.
Today, we can say “Merry Christmas!” with the certain joy that God is our great Artist. Without Mary’s “Yes!” there would be no birth of the Messiah. Without Jesus’ “Yes!” there would be no perfect Lamb to offer for our Sin. Without God’s call of the Israelites and their centuries old turbulent relationship of disobedience and repentance, there would be no Davidic line from which the Christ would be born. Without ADAM there would be no original Sin and no need at all for the portrait God has painted for us over these thousands of years of our Salvation History. But God’s artistic rendering is real. It is our story of disobedience and sin redeemed through God’s faithful, never failing love relationship with us.
Maybe, just maybe, that is why we are given scripture readings familiar to Good Friday on this most Joy-filled celebration of God’s Incarnation.
A Very Blessed and Merry Christmas to you and yours….
Fr. Bernie
St. Martin, Pompano Beach
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