Gospel for 22 December: The Magnificat

Madonna of the Magnificat, Botticelli, 1480-81 (Web Gallery of Art)

Luke 1:46-56 (RSV Catholic Edition)

And Mary said, 

"My soul magnifies the Lord, 

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

 for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. 

For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;

 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, 

and holy is his name. 

And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation. 

He has shown strength with his arm, 

he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, 

he has put down the mighty from their thrones, 

and exalted those of low degree; 

he has filled the hungry with good things, 

and the rich he has sent empty away. 

He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 

as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever." 

And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home. 

Latin

(present official Roman Catholic form):

Magnificat anima mea Dominum,

et exsultavit spiritus meus in Deo salvatore meo,

quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae.

Ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes,

quia fecit mihi magna,

qui potens est,

et sanctum nomen eius,

et misericordia eius in progenies et progenies

timentibus eum.

Fecit potentiam in brachio suo,

dispersit superbos mente cordis sui;

deposuit potentes de sede

et exaltavit humiles;

esurientes implevit bonis

et divites dimisit inanes.

Suscepit Israel puerum suum,

recordatus misericordiae,

sicut locutus est ad patres nostros,

Abraham et semini eius in saecula.

Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto,

sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper,

et in saecula saecolurom. Amen.

Gospel for 21 December: The Visitation

The Visitation, Rogier van der Weyden, c.1445 (Web Gallery of Art)

Luke 1:57-66 (RSV Catholic Edition)

Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, and she gave birth to a son. And her neighbors and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they would have named him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said, "Not so; he shall be called John." they said to her, "None of your kindred is called by this name." And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he would have him called. And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." And they all marveled. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea; and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?" For the hand of the Lord was with him.

The 'O Antiphon' for the Magnificat at Vespers on 21 December

O Radiant Dawn, splendour of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

Gospel for 20 December: The Annunciation

The Annunciation, El Greco, painted 1600s (Web Gallery of Art)

Luke 1:26-38 (RSV Catholic Edition)

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!" But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end." And Mary said to the angel, "How shall this be, since I have no husband?" And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born * will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible." And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

The 'O Antiphon' for the Magnificat at Vespers on 20 December.

O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of heaven: come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.

The painting of the Annunciation is one of many by El Greco.

'I Met St Joseph in Manila'

The Dream of St Joseph, Rembrandt, painted 1650-55) (Web Gallery of Art)

Gospel for Tuesday 18 December

Matthew 1:18-25 (RSV Catholic Edition)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.

+++

Today's gospel reminds me of the story below which I published in the November-December 2003 edition of Misyon, the Columban magazine in the Philippines that I've been editing for more than ten years. At the time it was a printed magazine. Now we publish only online. The author, Columba Chang, on the left in the photo below, has been a Columban Lay Missionary for more than twenty years. She has spent most of those years in the Philippines but more recently has worked in the Diocese of Myitkyina in northern Myanmar (Burma). She is now based in Hong Kong as a member of the leadership team of the Columban Lay Missionaries.

It is estimated that there are now around nine million Filipinos overseas, most of them contract workers, known here as 'OFWs' (Overseas Filipino Workers). 'TNT' is from the Tagalog 'tago ng tago', 'going into hiding', and refers to those illegally resident in another country. 'Mang' and 'Aling' are informal Tagalog titles of respect when addressing or speaking of a man or woman older than yourself. 'Tatay' means 'Daddy'.

Columba introduced me to Ligaya - a popular name for girls that is the Tagalog for 'Joy' - and Mang Pepe. Ligaya lived up to the name used here but her real name is also a very beautiful one. We met only on this occasion. I spoke to her a number of times on Columba's mobile phone. Sadly, Ligaya died about nine months later. I'm certain that St Joseph welcomed her home.

'I met St Joseph in Manila'

By Columba Chang

There may be as many as 7 million Filipino overseas workers spread all over the world.  They greatly help our country’s economy by the money they send home.  However sometimes we seem to take them for granted, thinking that they have an easy life abroad.  Read Aling Maria’s story below and find out the dangers our OFWs face and the abuses they experience.  We thank ‘Mang Pepe’ for his help in writing this article in which we’ve changed the names.

I met Mang Pepe and his daughter Ligaya through my work with Caritas Manila.  I visit the family regularly.  They live in a poor part of the city and Mang Pepe makes a living by doing odd jobs.  My work takes me to families affected by HIV/AIDS.  I knew Mang Pepe’s story before he shared it with the congregation at the Saturday evening Mass in Baclaran Church on 7 December 2002 at the end of a celebration organized by Caritas Manila for World AIDS Day.

A Greener Pasture

Mang Pepe and his wife Aling Maria were having difficulties putting their five children through school.  This sometimes led to arguments.  Eventually Aling Maria decided to work in the Middle East.  She felt happy when accepted as a nursing aide with a two-year contract in the UAE.  She prepared her documents.  She and Pepe sold their house and lot for her fare and placement fee.  She flew out on 5 February 1989, full of hope for her family’s future financial stability.

Aling Maria soon discovered that her contract as a nursing aid was terminated just a few months after she arrived, without any hope of renewal.  But she didn’t want to go back to the Philippines with an empty pocket.  She decided to take the ‘TNT’ route.  She managed to find a series of jobs as a saleslady, cashier and office worker.

Hope turns into a nightmare

As an illegal worker, she was often subjected to different abuses like underpayment, long hours of working without a day off and so on. But the worst thing was when one of Aling Maria’s employers took advantage of her and made her pregnant.  When she came home to the Philippines in October 1993 Mang Pepe and the family were very shocked to learn that Aling Maria carried a child in her womb.  She hadn’t mentioned anything about this before.  However, despite this they still welcomed her and the child with joy . . . but deep in their hearts there was a shadow of sadness, fear and uncertainty.

After a few days the tabloids reported that three Filipino overseas workers had been sent home because of being infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS – and that one of them was Aling Maria.  These stories, and the rumors they spawned, continued for a month.  Some relatives, neighbors and friends rejected Aling Maria.  The children of Mang Pepe and Aling Maria were torn apart.  Some wanted to quit school and leave the area.  The family suffered greatly because of the stigma.

Confirmed HIV

Aling Maria and Mang Pepe went to the Department of Health for a series of blood tests.  The tests confirmed what Aling Maria knew already, that she and her ‘little mercy child,’ as Mang Pepe called his wife’s daughter had HIV.  The doctor gave them counseling and advice and information about HIV/AIDS.

Ligaya is born

Aling Maria decided not to say in the hospital and continued to work as a pension plan insurance agent.  In time she gave birth to a baby girl whom they named Ligaya.  Gradually, however, Mang Pepe saw his dear wife turning into a picture of misery as she suffered from constant headaches and flu.  Aling Maria was hoping for a miracle that would ease her agony.  It was not to be.  The HIV developed into full-blown AIDS.  Her appetite disappeared until she couldn’t eat anymore.  Mang Pepe and the children saw Aling Maria slowly dying.  He prepared the family to accept her death as the will of God.  She died on 15 December 1997, aged 46.

Like everyone else in Baclaran Church, I was deeply touched by Mang Pepe’s story, even though he had told it to me many times.  I was touched by the great love of this simple man who accepted as his own a daughter who was the fruit of the brutal violation of his wife.  Mang Pepe is ‘Tatay’ to Ligaya.  Her schoolmates sometimes tease her because her features clearly show her Middle Eastern origins.  But her Tatay stands by her, as do her brothers and sisters.

Proud to be her Tatay

Tatay Pepe is proud of Ligaya’s singing ability and smiled as she sang at the celebration in Baclaran.  Ligaya is very proud of herTatay and knows the depth of his love as a father.  She has very uncertain health and is often in the hospital.  The shadow of AIDS hangs over her.

St Joseph named Jesus, the Son of Mary, and thereby became his legal father.  He loved Mary, his wife, and raised Jesus as his own son.  Mang Pepe has gone through the agony of knowing that his wife was violated overseas, after dishonest employers had taken advantage of her in other ways.  When she brought home a child who was not his, he made her his own.  This latter-day St Joseph in Manila has given much joy to his daughter Ligaya as she has given much joy to him and others, like myself, who have come to know and love her.

'What then shall we do?' Sunday Reflections, 3rd Sunday of Advent Year C

Misa de Gallo (pre-dawn Mass) Saturday, 17 December 2011, Church of the Holy Cross, Gango, Ozamiz City, Philippines, hours after tropical storm Washi/Sendong had hit the area. (Photo courtesy of Janet Paredes De Lara).

Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA)

Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa)

Gospel Luke 3:10-18 (Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition)

And the multitudes asked John, "What then shall we do?"  And he answered them, "He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise." Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Collect no more than is appointed you." Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Rob no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your wages." As the people were in expectation, and all men questioned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he were the Christ, John answered them all, "I baptize you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." So, with many other exhortations, he preached good news to the people. 

The complete text of Gaudete, including the refrain:

Latin	English
Gaudete, gaudete! Christus est natus Ex Maria virgine, gaudete!	Rejoice, rejoice! Christ is born (Out) Of the Virgin Mary — rejoice!
Tempus adest gratiæ Hoc quod optabamus, Carmina lætitiæ Devote reddamus.	The time of grace has come— what we have wished for, songs of joy Let us give back faithfully.
Deus homo factus est Natura mirante, Mundus renovatus est A Christo regnante.	God has become man, To the wonderment of Nature, The world has been renewed By the reigning Christ.
Ezechielis porta Clausa pertransitur, Unde lux est orta Salus invenitur.	The closed gate of Ezekiel Is passed through, Whence the light is born, Salvation is found.
Ergo nostra contio Psallat iam in lustro; Benedicat Domino: Salus Regi nostro.	Therefore let our gathering Now sing in brightness Let it give praise to the Lord: Greeting to our King.

The various groups who approached St John the Baptist in today's gospel asked him, What then shall we do? He gave them practical answers in the context of their lives. To tax collectors: Collect no more than is appointed you. His answers to them, to soldiers and to people in general apply today as much as they did in his day.

The people at Mass in Holy Cross parish in the photo were answering John's first piece of advice: He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise. They were bringing up their offerings to be shared later with those in need. Everybody at the Mass was suffering from the floods that had come during the night. They probably weren't yet aware of the many who had died in Iligan City and in Cagayan de Oro City, not all that far away, where some of them probably had relatives and friends.

But they believed in their hearts what the Entrance Antiphon for 17 December, based on Isaiah 49:13,  says:
 
Læténtur cæli et exsúltet terra, 

quia  Dóminus  noster  véniet, 

et páuperum suórum miserébitur.  

  

Rejoice, O heavens, and exult, O earth, 

for our Lord will come to show mercy to his poor.

The Entrance Antiphon for the Mass of the Third Sunday of Advent has a similar message. It is taken straight from the Second Reading for Year C, Philippians 4:4-5: 

Gaudéte in Dómino semper: íterum dico, gaudéte.  

Dóminus enim prope est.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. 

Indeed, the Lord is near. 

The first word of the Entrance Antiphon, Gaudete, gives its nickname to the Third Sunday of Advent, 'Gaudete Sunday'.

The monks of St Benedict's Monastery in São Paulo (Brazil) the expanded Introit or Entrance Antiphon as sung in the Mass in the Extraordinary Form:

Gaudéte in Dómino semper:íterum díco, gaudéte:
modéstia véstra
nóta sit ómnibus homínibus:
Dóminus prope est.
Nihil sollíciti sítis:
sed in ómni oratióne
petitiónes véstrae
innotéscant apud Déum. 

Benedixísti, Dómine,
térram túam:
avertísti captivitátem Jácob. 

V.Glória Pátri.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------­--------------------------

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. 
Let your forbearance be known to all men. 
The Lord is at hand. 
Do not be anxious over anything; 
but in all manner or prayer, 
let your requests be made known unto God.

Lord, you have blessed your land; 
you have put an end to Jacob's captivity. 

V. Glory be to the Father

Here in the Philippines this Sunday coincides with the beginning of the Misas de Gallo, the novena of pre-dawn Masses that run to Christmas Eve. The Spanish term could be translated as 'Masses at Cockcrow'. They are also known as Aguinaldo Masses, 'aguinaldo' being a Sp;anish word for 'gift'. The gift in question is the precious gift of faith. In Tagalog the Masses are called Simbang Gabi or 'Night Masses'. The Ordo for the Philippines reminds us that these Masses in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary, are to be celebrated on the nine days before Christmas for the perseverance of the nation in faith. White vestments are worn and the Gloria is sung. The readings are those of the day but the weekday Masses have their own special prayers.

The mediaeval hymn Gaudete [first video]is a Christmas carol rather than an Advent hymn but it fits in with this Sunday's celebration and with the mood of the Misas de Gallo. In Advent while we prepare to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Jesus we also prepare for his coming into our daily lives and for his coming at the end of time, a reality that each of us will anticipate at the moment of death.

Peter of Blois (c.1135 - c.1211) writes about these three comings:

How blessed are those who can confidently say: My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready! Having gathered the fruit of grace from the Lord’s first coming, they will reap a harvest of salvation and glory from the second; for the first opens up the way for the second, and the second prepares us for the third. Lowly and unspectacular in his first coming, secret and gentle in his second, Christ will come openly the third time, and his final coming will fill the world with dread. He came to us at his first coming in order to come into us at the second, and he comes into us at his second coming in order not to have to come against us at the third. At his first coming he showed mercy, in the second he brings grace, at the third he will give glory, for Scripture says: The Lord will confer grace and glory.

At this final coming the Lord will reward his saints for their labours, as he himself promises: I am coming soon, bringing my recompense according to what each person has done. Oh that it may be in accordance with his great mercy that he treats us then, and not as our evil deeds deserve! Though we do indeed expect Christ Jesus to come to us as our judge, we know that he has com to us already and we have accepted him as our Saviour.

 

Though the overwhelming theme of the Mass today is 'Rejoice' there is a 'sting in the tail'. St John the Baptist says of the coming Messiah, His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. The words of Peter of Blois have a similar message that emphasises God's loving mercy, as do the words of John, while acknowledging that we can reject it: At his first coming he showed mercy, in the second he brings grace . . . Oh that it may be in accordance with his great mercy that he treats us then, and not as our evil deeds deserve!

It is possible for an individual to reject God's love, to reject the joy he offers us.

The Preaching of St John the Baptist in the Desert

Massimo Stanzione, c.1634 (Web Gallery of Art)

Collect

O God, who see how your people 

faithfully await the feast of the Lord's Nativity, 

enable us, we pray, 

to attain the joys of so great a salvation 

and to celebrate them always

with solemn worship and glad rejoicing.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, 

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

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