εὐαγγελίζω (euaggelizo)
“to announce the Good News of victory in battle”
“to announce the Good News of victory in battle”
“Brothers and sisters:
To him who can strengthen you,
according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery (μυστηρίου, mysteriou)
kept secret for long ages
but now manifested through the prophetic writings and,...”
To him who can strengthen you,
according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery (μυστηρίου, mysteriou)
kept secret for long ages
but now manifested through the prophetic writings and,...”
Romans 16:25-26
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Fourth Sunday of Advent
θεωρέω (theoreo)
(“to perceive, discover, ponder a deeper meaning”)
(“to perceive, discover, ponder a deeper meaning”)
Saint Paul’s final word to the Church in Rome, framed as a doxology (hymn of praise), forms an integral part of the proclaimed Word on this final Sunday of Advent. In a Season that aims to reflect more importantly a way of living, Advent began with Jesus’ Word to watch, a watching filled with excitement, anticipation and joy as one awaits the return of a loved one. Anticipation of the beloved’s return, called one to prepare for the arrival by repenting and by providing for the poor. Watching, repenting and providing - actions of an Advent way of living — disposes one or opens one to grasp the mighty work of God the Father through the Temple not-made-by-human-hands (First Reading) that becomes incarnate in the womb of Mary (Gospel). For Saint Paul, this mighty work is “the revelation of mystery kept secret for long ages but now manifested ...” (Second Reading) On the threshold of celebrating the Nativity of the Lord and prompted by Saint Paul’s proclamation of God’s Word, it is worth pondering, from a theological perspective, the word mystery.
In the Greek biblical world and into the Age of the Fathers of the Church, the word mystery is part of a family of words stemming from the Greek verb μύω (muō) translated “to close” or “to shut.” A related verb, μυάω (muáō) is often translated “to shut or close the lips” hence silence as well as “to shut or close the eyes” hence darkness. Within the context of approaching any one of the Oracles in the ancient Greek world, one would approach the Oracle in silence in order to listen to the guidance offered for living life. In time, mystery, from the Greek μυστήριον (mustērion) and related to μύω (muō), came to describe a sacred rite or action requiring one to approach in silence to receive guidance for living life. What is of upmost is that mystery is not primarily about figuring out the unknown or the incomprehensible. Mystery is about silence ordered to receiving advice or direction for life. No wonder the early Christians in the East adopted the word mystery for so many facets of Christian life. Not only were the primal teachings such as the Most Holy Trinity referred to as a mystery, but in the East the events of Baptism, Confirmation and the Most Holy Eucharist were termed mysteries. Before the Christian West adopted the word sacraments, the East was using the word mysteries. Baptism as mystery, Confirmation as mystery, Most Holy Eucharist as mystery are not firstly about the unknowable but about living the life of Jesus Christ joined with a requisite, never-ending pondering of what it means for being His disciple, intentionally and consciously.
Admittedly, the Fourth Week of Advent is quite a challenge this year since it is a period of hours, not days. Most of these hours, understandably, will be filled with last minute shopping, cleaning, wrapping, food prepping and many other items on the ‘honey do list.’ Finding time to be drawn into the mystery of Jesus - God enfleshed - is difficult. Yet at the risk of sounding trite, calling a ‘time out’ to let oneself respond to the promptings of Holy Spirit at this time of year, grounds one in a most unique way to the greatest gift of all time: Jesus, God-in-the-flesh Who comes to rescue us and draw us back to intimate communion with His Father.
Admittedly, the Fourth Week of Advent is quite a challenge this year since it is a period of hours, not days. Most of these hours, understandably, will be filled with last minute shopping, cleaning, wrapping, food prepping and many other items on the ‘honey do list.’ Finding time to be drawn into the mystery of Jesus - God enfleshed - is difficult. Yet at the risk of sounding trite, calling a ‘time out’ to let oneself respond to the promptings of Holy Spirit at this time of year, grounds one in a most unique way to the greatest gift of all time: Jesus, God-in-the-flesh Who comes to rescue us and draw us back to intimate communion with His Father.
Preface II of Advent
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Christ our Lord.
For all the oracles of the prophets foretold him,
the Virgin Mother longed for him
with love beyond all telling,
John the Baptist sang of his coming
and proclaimed his presence when he came.
It is by his gift that already we rejoice
at the mystery of his Nativity,
so that he may find us watchful in prayer
and exultant in his praise.
And so, with Angels and Archangels,
with Thrones and Dominions,
and with all the hosts and Powers of heaven,
we sing the hymn of your glory,
as without end we acclaim: ...
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Christ our Lord.
For all the oracles of the prophets foretold him,
the Virgin Mother longed for him
with love beyond all telling,
John the Baptist sang of his coming
and proclaimed his presence when he came.
It is by his gift that already we rejoice
at the mystery of his Nativity,
so that he may find us watchful in prayer
and exultant in his praise.
And so, with Angels and Archangels,
with Thrones and Dominions,
and with all the hosts and Powers of heaven,
we sing the hymn of your glory,
as without end we acclaim: ...
Collect
Pour forth, we beseech You, O Lord,
Your grace into our hearts, that we,
to whom the Incarnation of Christ Your Son
was made known by the message of an Angel,
may by His Passion and Cross
be brought to the glory of His Resurrection.
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Your grace into our hearts, that we,
to whom the Incarnation of Christ Your Son
was made known by the message of an Angel,
may by His Passion and Cross
be brought to the glory of His Resurrection.
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Glory to the Father
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen
