My Sisters and Brothers:
Today’s Scriptures remind us “a virgin conceived and bore son, and he was named Emmanuel” (see Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23). The Gospel’s reference to the birth of Jesus directly quotes the Prophet Isaiah, and so we believe it was the fulfillment of God’s age-old promise to those waiting with expectant faith.
As we contemplate these scriptural passages, I believe it’s a good idea to ponder the actual situation into which Jesus was born. Let’s recall Mary and Joseph were very poor and humble, and they hailed from Nazareth, a very small town “in the middle of nowhere.” Let’s recall the circumstances of Mary’s pregnancy: to those who didn’t know the truth, it would have been “scandalous” (she was found “with child” before marriage and Joseph’s first inclination was to “divorce” her quietly). Let’s recall that soon after Joseph “took Mary into his home,” they found themselves haplessly journeying to Bethlehem, and there, even though she was about to give birth, were unable to procure a decent place to stay. Let’s recall the birth of Jesus took place in a filthy stable where animals were kept, and let’s imagine how “shameful” that must have been for his “vagrant” parents. This child of theirs, who they named Emmanuel, meaning “God is with us,” was born into humility.
Mary and Joseph, the earthly parents of the Son of God, were poor, humble, homeless and voiceless; by all outward appearances, others certainly could have regarded them as despicable and disgraceful individuals, highly unworthy to be parents of one destined to such greatness. And this is exactly how God the Father in heaven wanted it to be!
I believe all of these circumstances “set the stage” for the entire earthly ministry and mission of Jesus. Think about it: Jesus spent most of his time reaching out to the “lowly” and to those who had no voice; he proclaimed God’s mercy and love to sinners, and to those who were otherwise disenfranchised and marginalized from society; he preached to the arrogant and self-righteous “religious leaders,” and told them they were hypocrites; he said those seeking to be Godlike would have to “become like little children,” or they would not inherit the Kingdom. This great ministry and mission of Jesus truly began in that little town of Nazareth when “the virgin Mary responded to God’s will and thereby conceived a son.” Because of this, and from the very first moment of the “incarnation,” we believe God became flesh within the very lives of the lowly, the humble, and the poor. Jesus even did so until the very end of his earthly ministry, when he was absolutely humiliated by suffering a criminal’s death on a cross. This Jesus, our Emmanuel, our God with us, has always sought out and identified with those who were and are the most “lowly” and humble among us. And so, I believe we are called to do the same!
Today, we remember the “virgin who conceived and bore a son,” and we contemplate an earthly mission of Jesus directed toward the “lowly” and the poor. We believe this was how our God came to live among his people!
Once again, and as faithful children of such a God, let’s commit ourselves to the ministry of forgiveness for sinners, to the work of bringing others out of misery, to the task of feeding the hungry, and to the care of healing the sick and the brokenhearted. This way, and with our lives, we will always proclaim the Good News of God’s Kingdom to others! My friends, this is what it’s all about!
Praise God! Friar Timothy
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