"Let
the Earth Bring Forth a Savior"
Bible READINGS
The
beauty of creation is a poem. People are moved to prayer and
contemplation by the deep feelings that it evokes. The Advent readings
and prayers of the Church are filled with poetic images of creation which
is indeed a vehicle of divine revelation. Today’s Entrance antiphon, “Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the
earth bring forth a Savior,” is a poetic Advent invocation with a divine
message. In terms of creation motif, it presents the twofold movement of the
mystery of Incarnation depicted in the gospel reading (Lk 1:26-28). The
initiative of salvation comes from God, and Mary’s unconditional response is an
absolute participation in the saving plan. The first part of the invocation, “Let the clouds rain down the Just One,”
refers to the initiative of the Father through the Holy Spirit, his creative
power. The Holy Spirit overshadows Mary and makes the incarnation of the Divine
Son possible. As the creative origin of life, the Holy Spirit fills the humble
maiden of Nazareth with divine energy and knits together the flesh and blood of
the Savior in her nurturing and virginal womb. Indeed, through his life-giving
power, the Holy Spirit would bring about the greatest miracle in the history of
humankind: the mystery of the Incarnation. With Jesus the Savior of the world,
something radically new begins: the NEW CREATION. The second part of the invocation, “(let) the earth brings forth a
Savior,” focuses on Mary‘s participation in the miracle of life. In a
poetic way, Mary of Nazareth is “the earth that opens up.” The gospel story of
the announcement of the birth of the Messiah is set in the context of Mary’s own
vocation as Mother and Disciple. Her vocation is marked with deep receptivity
to the creative action of the Holy Spirit. Her total consecration to the divine
plan, expressed in her reply to the angel, “May it be done to me according to
your word,” would enable the Rose of Judah to bud forth from the stem of Jesse
and from David’s royal clan. Indeed, the Rose of Judah is Jesus Christ; the
Rose plant is Mary of Nazareth, betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of
David. The birth of Jesus through a woman would fulfill the Lord’s promise
spoken to David through the prophet Nathan. The kingdom of David will be
established forever in the sight of the Lord (see First Reading: 2 Sm 7:1-5,
8b-12, 14a, 16). Moreover, in the words of St. Paul, the promised Messiah made
flesh in the womb of the virgin of Nazareth is the mystery kept for endless ages
but now fully revealed (see the Second Reading: Rm 16:25-27). At the threshold of Christmas, let us
look at the Incarnation from the ecological point of view. Indeed, a very
significant pro-life issue is environmental concern. We have only one planet
Earth to offer us life support, and there is no other. Let us contemplate the
mystery of the Incarnation as intimately linked to God’s beloved creation.
Indeed, the Incarnate Word born of Mary is the firstborn of creation and the
Lord of creation. Let us therefore honor him through our reverence and promotion
of the integrity of God’s creation. II. POINTS FOR THE
EXAMINATION OF THE HEART Leader:
As Christmas is fast approaching, let us present to the Lord our ardent desire
to welcome this holy solemnity through prayers and concrete works of charity.
With Mary, the Lady of messianic waiting, we pray: Assembly:
Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.
Leader:
Let us pray for the sick and suffering, for the poor and the marginalized, for
the lonely and the oppressed that the coming celebration of the Lord’s birth
may bring them solace and comfort, liberation and spiritual joy. With Mary,
the Mother of the Lord, we pray: Assembly:
Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior. Leader:
Let us pray for God’s beloved creation besieged by threats of ecological
destruction that we may commit ourselves to its healing and integration. Assembly:
Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior. Leader:
God our Father, on the occasion of the forthcoming Christmas celebration, open
the treasures of your kindness and mercy and help us to toil zealously for the
Advent of your kingdom and the integration of your beloved creation. We ask
this through Christ our Lord. Assembly:
Amen.
IV. INTERIORIZATION OF THE WORD The following sacred text is a living
word to nourish us throughout the week. Please memorize it.
“Let the clouds
rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.”
(Is 45:8)
V. TOWARDS LIFE TRANSFORMATION
Prepared by Sr. Mary Margaret Tapang PDDM
PIAE DISCIPULAE DIVINI MAGISTRI
SISTER DISCIPLES OF THE DIVINE MASTER
60 Sunset Ave., Staten Island, NY 10314
Tel. (718) 494-8597 // (718) 761-2323
Website:
WWW.PDDM.US
Fourth
Sunday of Advent, Year B