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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider A virgin betrothed to a man

A virgin betrothed to a man

Published Dec 20, 2021 12:05 am

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Reflections today

In contrast to her cousin Elizabeth, Mary is not barren. Her child does not come into existence because God removes the sterility. Rather, Mary is a virgin who has not known man—her child is totally God’s work, a new creation. The angel’s appearance to Zechariah happens in Jerusalem Temple, a sign of continuity of Old Testament institutions. But the annunciation to Mary takes place in Nazareth that does not even appear in the whole Old Testament, again a sign of total newness on what God is doing. Lastly, John the Baptist is the answer to his aged parents’ yearning for a child. But Mary does not yearn for a child, for she has not yet lived with her betrothed. Jesus is the surprise of creation. His conception is totally God’s initiative, beyond human imaginings.

“Behold, I make all things new,” proclaims God in the last book of Scriptures (Rv 21:5). At the end of time and of seasons, at the close of human history, at the omega point, the old sinful realities will be replaced by the new heaven and the new earth. But something radically new has begun with the conception of Mary’s child. He is a new creation who, by his resurrection from the dead, becomes “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor 15:20). What happens at the end brings to fulfillment what wonderfully and radically begins at the conception of Jesus in the womb of the Virgin Mary.

FIRST READING • Is 7:10-14 The Lord spoke to Ahaz: Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God; let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky! But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the Lord!” Then Isaiah said: Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary men, must you also weary my God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM • Ps 24 “Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.”

SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2021,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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