December 18 2019 - The Lord our Justice

Yesterday, we heard one of the most ancient prophecies in the bible that the messiah would have royal lineage. Old dying Jacob prophecied to his son Judah, that from him would come a ruler, a king. And that prophecy certainly came true, as David the first king of the united Israel, came from the tribe of Judah. But, as the royal line continued, through David, then Solomon, and so on, those kings failed miserably in their royal duties and obligations. They allowed pagan idolatry to take root in their land, prostitution, child sacrifice, adultery and sexual deviance. David’s line appeared to be more of a lineage of unjust kings, a lineage of the unrighteous. And because of their poor leadership, Israel’s political and religious identity suffered and Israel became subject to foreign invasions from a host of enemies, particularly the Assyrians and the Babylonians.

During the Babylonian captivity God raised up a prophet, Jeremiah to preach to the people of Israel about the need to return to the precepts of the God of Israel and to purify their religion from foreign corruption. And in particularly scathing address to those unjust kings and their failures, Jeremiah offered a word of hope, the prophecy we heard today, of a righteous shoot, a righteous branch from the royal line of David, God will deliver Israel from those unjust kings, and raise up a righteous one.
“As king he shall reign and govern wisely, he shall do what is just and right in the land…they shall name him the Lord Our Justice”

The O Antiphon for today, December 18, refers to the Messiah as Lord, “O Adonai” the Hebrew word for Lord, “O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel” O Lord and Leader of the House of Israel. Jesus is the just Lord, the righteous one, born of the royal line of David, the fulfillment of God’s promises and the oracles of the prophets.

Of course, we hope and pray that our political leaders will be righteous, who will work for our security and prosperity, who will hopefully stand as bulwarks against the powers of evil and corruption. But we recognize, that no earthly leader can do what Jesus the Lord can do and has done, only he can save us from our sins. Only he can bring the liberation from the powers of darkness in our own souls. Only he can bring eternal life and grant us the inheritance of his eternal kingdom. Only he can make us sons and daughters of God.

May we submit to his rule, and open our minds and hearts every more deeply to the redemption that only he can bring, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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We raise up our prayers of petitions, as we await with longing the Advent of Christ the Lord.

That the witness of the Church may help all nations come to believe in the Lordship of Jesus.

That our president and all civil servants will carry out their duties with justice, honesty, and respect for the dignity of every human life.  We pray to the Lord.

For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life and a strengthening of all marriages in holiness.

That Christ may banish disease, drive out hunger, ward off every affliction, and strengthen all who suffer persecution for the sake of the Gospel.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.