Meditations On The Gospel Of Luke For The FamilySample

"MEDITATION 3: Two births: those of John and Jesus"

We will notice, as we trace our way through Luke’s Gospel, a duality which reveals the newness of the “Good News.” On the one hand, we will see how in Jesus the promises of old are being fulfilled; but, on the other hand, how these promises are realized in a different way, and entail a new approach to salvation and to our understanding of life as a whole. In these first chapters, the parallels between the old and the new “ages” are obvious, as well as the initial differences that will shape the lives of Jesus and John. John’s role is that of announcing the coming, and indicating the presence, of the Messiah; but John belongs to the past. By contrast, although Jesus’ roots and origins are in the ancient history of Israel, he is the beginning of the new era.

John’s birth follows the pattern of a traditional event, although everything about him was exceptional. He was preceded by wondrous signs. His birth was announced by an angel to his father, Zechariah, whose lack of faith provoked his dumbness. Contrary to any human expectation, John was conceived by an old, sterile couple, such as the angel had foretold. John is received and accepted in the context of a happy family. Parents, relatives and neighbors share the joy of his birth and celebrate his circumcision, the usual rite for new-born males. Their amazement is finally expressed in their question about the future of this child, for “the hand of the Lord was with him” (1:66).

Jesus’ birth is utterly different. There are a number of common details: an angel announces his wondrous birth by the power of the Spirit of God, and proclaims him as the future heir to David’s throne, who will be called Son of the Most High. However, the rest of the story breaks all the rules of a miraculous event. Every circumstance seems to be against the Messiah’s birth. His parents will have to leave their hometown when Mary’s pregnancy is close to its end.

In Bethlehem, a small village, they will not find a place in the local inn and Mary will have to give birth to her son in a stable, laying the baby in a manger. There are no courtly rooms in Jerusalem’s palace, no religious or political authorities to receive and give homage to the King of Israel. Besides a vision of angels, the only people who will recognize the “Messiah and Lord” in the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes are some shepherds, the most unreliable social group in Israel. Salvation is not where it is supposed to be. The kingdom of God has come to the poor, to the outcast, and demands new eyes to see it. Yes, a new age has come for Israel and for the world.

Rev. Fr. Mariano Perrón, Roman Catholic priest, Archdiocese of Madrid, Spain