Reflection on Today’s Daily Readings by Fr. Bertrand Buby, SM

Today’s Readings


Scripture: Lectionary # 201. II Samuel 7: 1-5, 8-11,16. Psalm
89:2-3,4-5,27.29. Luke 1:67-79.

During this Advent we have introduced the Magnificat with the singing of
the O Antiphons from Dec.17th till today, Christmas Eve. They help us to
approach the Scriptures from a faith perspective put into beautiful song
through the antiphon before and after the Magnificat. Perhaps, today's
Scriptures need to be read in the light of all of them. The initial story
of David wishing to build the temple while it was God who had given the
exact demands of it and reminded David that he had shed too much blood to
be the builder of God's sanctuary. Nathan the prophet is David's
intermediary and fortunately David is attentive to his prophetic advice
throughout his kingship. God"s Wisdom is seen in this (Antiphon 1: Wisdom
of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: teach us to
walk in the paths of knowledge).

The Psalm and its response is a covenantal psalm and does apply to both
David but to all of God's people. (Antiphon 2: Come, Leader of ancient
Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: rescue us with hour mighty
power). And since it also speaks of the covenant with David the next two O
antiphons fit the Psalm: (Antiphon 3: Come, Flower of Jesse's stem (David),
sign of God's love for all his people: save us without delay! and Antiphon
4: Key of David, opening the gates of God's eternal kingdom, free prisoners
of darkness.)

Then in the beautiful prophetic hymn of Zehariah called the Benedictus we
have an echo of Antiphon 5: Radiant Dawn (Jesus), splendor of eternal
light, sun of justice: shine on those lost in the darkness of death!
We are easily led to reflect on this Morning Hymn, the Benedictus, on this
day called Christmas Eve. We keep both David and John the Baptist in mind
as we also remember the next Antiphon 6 for the One who is to come is nigh,
Come, King of the nations, source of your Church's unity and faith: save
all humankind, your own creation.,

Finally, the presence of Jesus is felt as we realize all of the holy
persons who have led us through this Advent bring us to the Mother who is
now with her child whether in a stable, a cave, or a home. We sing the last
antiphon 7: Emmanuel (God-with-us), God's presence among us, our King, our
Judge: save us, Lord our God. Amen.

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