The Gospel of the Day – 2015.12.20
(Sunday)
Fables
Mary set out and went as quickly as she
could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house
and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the
child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave
a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the
fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my
Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for
joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord
would be fulfilled.’
(NJB)
A Sad Reality
The writers of Mark began their gospel when Jesus of
Nazareth, otherwise known as Joshua son of Joseph, was a man; he was an adult and
at the beginning of his public ministry.
The early Christians wanted more, and so the authors
of Luke went back in time and narrated a fable about his conception and birth.
In this fable, or myth (whatever you think it should be called) they attempted
to tie up various loose ends in the stories that were being told about Jesus,
and also to unite different factions of the Christian movement in their time.
This particular piece of the narrative was meant to appeal to the followers of
John the Baptist. It brought forth the notion that Jesus and John were actually
cousins, and that even though John was older, he was a follower of Jesus from
the time he was in the womb. Just as John’s mother was subordinate to Mary.
It is a story, a fable, a myth; the whole thing is a
fiction.
It is unfortunate, because a great deal of theology
and doctrine has been hung from these exercises in make believe. And these
fictions were in themselves naked political calculations meant to manipulate
the burgeoning movement.
The succeeding Gospels each in their turn reached back
further in time. The writers of Matthew inserted a confusing genealogy; tracing
Jesus’ heritage back to Adam, through David on his father’s side. And yet, at
the same time we are to believe that Joseph was not his biological father.
While the writers of John begin their narrative with
the beginning of time itself.
It is sad to note, that over the centuries, what
people believed about these fables, ended up being the cause of extreme, bitter
and deadly partisan conflict among Christians. Never mind the actual teaching
of Jesus; to love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.
The
Fourth Sunday of Advent
