Mass Times

Dear Beloved Family of St. Anselm,

On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, the first reading from the prophet Micah presents us with a kind of summary of our salvation, a snapshot of what ails us and how God heals us. I. Our Humility – The text begins, And you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel. Even today, a great sorrow hangs over Bethlehem. Largely isolated economically, the city suffers from widespread poverty and unemployment, yet it was here, not in Jerusalem nor in a palace that our Savior chose to be born. Even within this humble and lowly city, one must stoop lower still, even kneeling on the floor, to touch the cave where Christ was born. Pride is our greatest enemy; at the root of every sin we commit. That is why the Lord teaches us humility is one of our greatest gifts.

II. Our Hardship– The text goes on to speak of our condition before the coming of Jesus: Therefore, the Lord will give them up until the time when she who is to give birth has borne. Our condition without Christ is grave. We are given up, given over to sin, and our fruitless and self-destructive tendencies. Thus, we learn of the gravity of our condition: that we cannot save ourselves. How often have deluded men sought to create utopia only to discover ruins? We must rely on God; we must turn to Him. So, here is our hardship. We are wandering, lost, and in need of a savior.

III. Our Head– The text goes on to speak of our Savior, shepherd, ruler, and head, Whose origin is from old, from ancient times. He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock by the strength of the Lord, in the majestic name of his God. Thus, we see that our Savior will be both God and man. He is God, for His origin is from old, from ancient times (cf also Hebrews 3:7). He must be God to have the power to save us, and yet He must also be one of us to speak and act on our behalf. Christ, our shepherd, and head, must go before us, showing us and opening the way. He must also walk behind us to guard and observe our every action. He must also walk beside us to keep our paths straight. 

IV. Our Healing– The text says that the rest of his kindred shall return to the children of Israel, and they shall remain, for now, his greatness shall reach the ends of the earth; he shall be peace. Thus, Jesus' essential task in healing us is not simply personal healing for me or you alone. It is also healing that removes the divisions within and among us. At His coming, Jesus shall beour peace by healing the many conflicts and destructive drives caused by sin. In a word, the basis for our healing is the Word made flesh, Jesus.

Amen.