Today, 13th of January, we celebrate
Saint Hilary
Ezra 6:7-8, 12b, 14-20
King Darius issued an order to the officials of West-of-Euphrates: "Let the governor and the elders of the Jews continue the work on that house of God; they are to rebuild it on its former site. I also issue this decree concerning your dealing with these elders of the Jews in the rebuilding of that house of God: From the royal revenue, the taxes of West-of-Euphrates, let these men be repaid for their expenses, in full and without delay. I, Darius, have issued this decree; let it be carefully executed."
The elders of the Jews continued to make progress in the building, supported by the message of the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, son of Iddo. They finished the building according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus and Darius and of Artaxerxes, king of Persia. They completed this house on the third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. The children of Israel-priests, Levites, and the other returned exiles-celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy.
For the dedication of this house of God, they offered one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, and four hundred lambs, together with twelve he-goats as a sin-offering for all Israel, in keeping with the number of the tribes of Israel. Finally, they set up the priests in their classes and the Levites in their divisions for the service of God in Jerusalem, as is prescribed in the book of Moses.
The exiles kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. The Levites, every one of whom had purified himself for the occasion, sacrificed the Passover for the rest of the exiles, for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.
Ps 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5
R./ Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
"We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R./ Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R./ Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R./ Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Lk 8:19-21
Then his mother and his relatives came to him, but they could not get to him because of the crowd. Someone told him, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and wish to meet you." Then Jesus answered, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it."
True Familiarity with Jesus
Once again, a foreign king favors the chosen people and generously funds the building of the Temple. We know that Jesus has become, for those who believe in Him, the true Temple of God, because in Him—in His humanity—we find access to the true God, His Father and our Father (cf. Jn 20:17). How do we enter this Temple?
There are forms of familiarity with Jesus that can be misleading. Belonging to a culture deeply marked by Christianity, or thinking of ourselves as “old Christians” by custom or tradition, is not enough. Even Jesus’ own blood relatives found themselves “outside,” on the fringe of the circle around Him. That circle forms a new family, the family of God’s children and brothers and sisters in the Son, Jesus Christ. It is defined by making His word the rule of life. To put the word into practice is to incarnate it, to give it birth. That is why, besides brothers, Jesus also calls them (and us) His mothers.
It may seem strange—even shocking—that Jesus’ true mother, Mary, is pictured “outside” that circle. In reality, we don’t know precisely how Jesus maintained His relationship with her during His public life. Likely, Mary remained in Nazareth with her close relatives, which is why she was with them. But what we do know—from Luke himself—is that Mary welcomed God’s word with total faith: “Let it be done to me according to your word.” That word became flesh in her womb, and through her that Word made flesh can be heard by all. Mary is the perfect example of what it means to hear, welcome, and live out God’s word.
By listening to and practicing God’s word, we become like Jesus, His brothers and sisters. And by incarnating that word, we also become like Mary, His mother.
Fraternal greetings,
José M.ª Vegas, CMF
