Mons. Enrique Díaz Díaz shares with the readers of Exaudi his reflection on the Gospel of this Sunday, December 24, 2023, entitled: “I will proclaim without ceasing the mercy of the Lord”
***
II Samuel 7, 1-5. 8-12. 14. 16: “The kingdom of David will remain forever in the presence of the Lord”
Psalm 88: “I will proclaim without ceasing the mercy of the Lord”
Romans 16, 25-27: “The mystery hidden for centuries has been revealed”
Saint Luke 1, 26-38: “You will conceive and give birth to a son”
Every day it is more difficult to get “a little house.” Sky-high prices, low salaries,
Tiny rooms and little budget. Now let’s imagine that that house is nothing less
that for the long-awaited Messiah, for the King of heaven and earth, for the Almighty, for Him who
He has the destiny of the times in his hands… Let’s not be scared and let’s know his demands.
Saint Luke shows us the desires and expectations of this “sent one” who is about to arrive. It
does it in his style and with literary forms that seek not so much history but to present a
extraordinary character. Thus he also introduced us to the life of John the Baptist. Firstly
highlights the place. While for the Baptist he places us in the solemnity of the Sanctuary, among the
incenses and offerings, for the Messiah he chooses Nazareth, now recognized by all, but in that
totally unknown time, never mentioned in the Old Testament, considered AS
a pagan region is not tied to any messianic promise or expectation. If anything as a place
close to the passage between important populations and in a region mixed with races dedicated to
trade and exposed to all paganisms. What do you want to tell us? I don’t know, maybe
Salvation comes from humble, ignored, simple places and not so much from luxuries or
great institutions of Israel.
The Baptist’s Announcement already caused us some confusion because the Angel is sent to two
sterile old people, with all that this causes among the neighboring evil tongues, considered not
properly strong to educate and support a prophet. But at least we had the justification
that Zechariah and his wife were upright people, blameless and that they followed the law of the
Lord, and both considered descendants of illustrious tribes of Israel. But for the Messiah
introduce us to Mary, she tells us nothing about her ancestors, and without any merit of good family
She has to be Joseph’s fiancée, he is indeed a descendant of the David line. We are not spoken to
nothing about observance of laws, but he certainly presents Joseph as a just man. But
Joseph was not there at the time of the announcement! So, following our comparison, while Isabel already
She had lost all hope of having a child, Mary was not ready and not even remotely
She hoped at that time to have a child. Thus, we find a young girl, without coats of arms
important family members, without titles or recognition, as a clear representative of the
“poor Israel”, which was very faithful to God, but had no social relevance.
At the time of the announcement, the reactions are very different. As Zechariah is filled with fear, I know
He shows disbelief, asks for proof and never gives his consent, Mary it is very clear that I know
She is startled and even worried when she feels praised, she asks for explanations because she doesn’t know how she can
be that, but in the end she places herself as a slave and as a faithful servant of the word of the Lord. Two
contrasting characters, two contrasting attitudes, and two contrasting outcomes: while
Zechariah remains mute because of her disbelief, Mary generates the Word, quickly brings it to life take it to
the mountains, and she becomes an announcer of the Almighty.
The days are approaching and Jesus is looking for a home to be born. There are not many demands from him regarding
comforts and riches, he only asks for simple, shared hearts detached from luxuries, riches, honors and ambitions. We can now listen to that request
Jesus: “I am looking for a little house,” and hurry to respond with the generosity of Mary, with a sure yes and
confident, with a “fiat” that commits and disposes, with a “I am the slave of the Lord, let it be done in
my according to your word”, trusting in a love much greater than ours.
Let us not fear, also for each of us are the words of Gabriel: “Rejoice the Lord
is with you”. Of course, he cannot tell us that we are full of grace, because
our crimes overwhelm us and our miseries are obvious. But the Lord is so generous
that despite our miseries he also chooses us for a manger, cave, or little house, where he can
the Savior is born. External appearances do not matter, what is important is internal cleanliness and
openness of heart to receive Jesus. Let us not forget that with Jesus, the shepherds also arrive,
the sinners, the sick, the despised… then, yes, it demands a great and noble door to
accept everyone as brothers. We cannot put at the entrance the usual: “We reserve
the right of admission”, because Jesus, like a good Mexican, arrives accompanied by all his
his brothers, without making distinctions for anyone who accepts his invitation. He breaks those abysses that
they open between poor and rich. He destroys the barriers that separate. We already know his style: He chooses
the little ones don’t care about the noise or the crying of the children and for everyone it is like bread, like bread? For everyone it becomes food, light and life! So, if we really want to offer our
heart as a house, let’s prepare for the consequences because we will have to live in the style of
Jesus and spend a Christmas under his conditions, but if we are not willing to all these
risks, why, then, do we continue to call ourselves Christians?
It is the last day of this Advent and contemplating the birth of Jesus so closely forces us
ask ourselves: How am I going to welcome the God-Child who becomes a living and concrete presence in our midst? How am I going to live, and how am I going to express tenderness to this God who is approaching until he becomes one of us? How am I going to give warmth and company to the newborn in my heart and in my house?
Lord, through the announcement of your Angel, you have made known to Mary your loving plan of
salvation and have made her a participant in the Incarnation, grant us to open our hearts and
become, through your Spirit, a house and portal where Jesus is born and where
Welcome, all men, because they are our brothers. Amen.
Reflection by Bishop Enrique Díaz: “I will proclaim without ceasing the mercy of the Lord”
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Mons. Enrique Díaz Díaz shares with the readers of Exaudi his reflection on the Gospel of this Sunday, December 24, 2023, entitled: “I will proclaim without ceasing the mercy of the Lord”
***
II Samuel 7, 1-5. 8-12. 14. 16: “The kingdom of David will remain forever in the presence of the Lord”
Psalm 88: “I will proclaim without ceasing the mercy of the Lord”
Romans 16, 25-27: “The mystery hidden for centuries has been revealed”
Saint Luke 1, 26-38: “You will conceive and give birth to a son”
Every day it is more difficult to get “a little house.” Sky-high prices, low salaries,
Tiny rooms and little budget. Now let’s imagine that that house is nothing less
that for the long-awaited Messiah, for the King of heaven and earth, for the Almighty, for Him who
He has the destiny of the times in his hands… Let’s not be scared and let’s know his demands.
Saint Luke shows us the desires and expectations of this “sent one” who is about to arrive. It
does it in his style and with literary forms that seek not so much history but to present a
extraordinary character. Thus he also introduced us to the life of John the Baptist. Firstly
highlights the place. While for the Baptist he places us in the solemnity of the Sanctuary, among the
incenses and offerings, for the Messiah he chooses Nazareth, now recognized by all, but in that
totally unknown time, never mentioned in the Old Testament, considered AS
a pagan region is not tied to any messianic promise or expectation. If anything as a place
close to the passage between important populations and in a region mixed with races dedicated to
trade and exposed to all paganisms. What do you want to tell us? I don’t know, maybe
Salvation comes from humble, ignored, simple places and not so much from luxuries or
great institutions of Israel.
The Baptist’s Announcement already caused us some confusion because the Angel is sent to two
sterile old people, with all that this causes among the neighboring evil tongues, considered not
properly strong to educate and support a prophet. But at least we had the justification
that Zechariah and his wife were upright people, blameless and that they followed the law of the
Lord, and both considered descendants of illustrious tribes of Israel. But for the Messiah
introduce us to Mary, she tells us nothing about her ancestors, and without any merit of good family
She has to be Joseph’s fiancée, he is indeed a descendant of the David line. We are not spoken to
nothing about observance of laws, but he certainly presents Joseph as a just man. But
Joseph was not there at the time of the announcement! So, following our comparison, while Isabel already
She had lost all hope of having a child, Mary was not ready and not even remotely
She hoped at that time to have a child. Thus, we find a young girl, without coats of arms
important family members, without titles or recognition, as a clear representative of the
“poor Israel”, which was very faithful to God, but had no social relevance.
At the time of the announcement, the reactions are very different. As Zechariah is filled with fear, I know
He shows disbelief, asks for proof and never gives his consent, Mary it is very clear that I know
She is startled and even worried when she feels praised, she asks for explanations because she doesn’t know how she can
be that, but in the end she places herself as a slave and as a faithful servant of the word of the Lord. Two
contrasting characters, two contrasting attitudes, and two contrasting outcomes: while
Zechariah remains mute because of her disbelief, Mary generates the Word, quickly brings it to life take it to
the mountains, and she becomes an announcer of the Almighty.
The days are approaching and Jesus is looking for a home to be born. There are not many demands from him regarding
comforts and riches, he only asks for simple, shared hearts detached from luxuries, riches, honors and ambitions. We can now listen to that request
Jesus: “I am looking for a little house,” and hurry to respond with the generosity of Mary, with a sure yes and
confident, with a “fiat” that commits and disposes, with a “I am the slave of the Lord, let it be done in
my according to your word”, trusting in a love much greater than ours.
Let us not fear, also for each of us are the words of Gabriel: “Rejoice the Lord
is with you”. Of course, he cannot tell us that we are full of grace, because
our crimes overwhelm us and our miseries are obvious. But the Lord is so generous
that despite our miseries he also chooses us for a manger, cave, or little house, where he can
the Savior is born. External appearances do not matter, what is important is internal cleanliness and
openness of heart to receive Jesus. Let us not forget that with Jesus, the shepherds also arrive,
the sinners, the sick, the despised… then, yes, it demands a great and noble door to
accept everyone as brothers. We cannot put at the entrance the usual: “We reserve
the right of admission”, because Jesus, like a good Mexican, arrives accompanied by all his
his brothers, without making distinctions for anyone who accepts his invitation. He breaks those abysses that
they open between poor and rich. He destroys the barriers that separate. We already know his style: He chooses
the little ones don’t care about the noise or the crying of the children and for everyone it is like bread, like bread? For everyone it becomes food, light and life! So, if we really want to offer our
heart as a house, let’s prepare for the consequences because we will have to live in the style of
Jesus and spend a Christmas under his conditions, but if we are not willing to all these
risks, why, then, do we continue to call ourselves Christians?
It is the last day of this Advent and contemplating the birth of Jesus so closely forces us
ask ourselves: How am I going to welcome the God-Child who becomes a living and concrete presence in our midst? How am I going to live, and how am I going to express tenderness to this God who is approaching until he becomes one of us? How am I going to give warmth and company to the newborn in my heart and in my house?
Lord, through the announcement of your Angel, you have made known to Mary your loving plan of
salvation and have made her a participant in the Incarnation, grant us to open our hearts and
become, through your Spirit, a house and portal where Jesus is born and where
Welcome, all men, because they are our brothers. Amen.
Gabriel Hernán, the seminarian who wants to get Honduras out of violence
December 18, Advent
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