Commentary on the Gospel of Thursday, December 24, 2015

Amy Hoover-Creighton University's Retreat Center Department

Such rich readings for us this Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent, otherwise known, this year as the day before Christmas. As I prayed with the reading from Samuel I could hear God saying “I’ve got this. I didn’t ask you to build me a house, I am here for you.” This reading is, of course, the prophecy to David promising the Israelites a Messiah. The Messiah we believe became manifest is Jesus.

Holding all this in my mind and heart, I entered into Ignatian Contemplation with our Gospel reading for today, the Canticle of Zechariah. I imagined that Zechariah was holding his newborn son, John, maybe for the first time and these were the words he spoke to him. Then, I became that new baby and I heard God saying to me, “You, my child (Amy – insert your own name), shall be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In tender compassion the dawn from on high shall break upon you and shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and guide your feet into the way of peace.”

I heard God further tell me, “I have been with you wherever you have gone and I promise you even more. The Light, Jesus, will dwell

among you,

in you

and through you.

If you receive the Light, together we can bring the Light and Peace to the world.”

As we prepare to celebrate the Incarnation this season of Christmas, let us consider how we are being called to be the Light of Christ for others, to receive the Mercy of Christ in our hearts and take it to those who dwell in darkness.

Where is the Light of Christ needed? Around our holiday tables? The parking lot of the mall? On the streets of our cities? In our hospitals? On our borders? Beyond our borders? Where are we being called to be a voice crying out to the darkness?