From Father Carlos...
Dear Friends in Christ:
In the present liturgical year (which we started this past November 28th and that will end November 27th, 2022) we will be led through a continuous reading of the Gospel of Luke.
The Gospel of Luke is the largest book in the New Testament and, when we look at the original Greek in which it was written, it is the most sophisticated (linguistically speaking.) The Gospel of Luke is addressed to a “most excellent Theophilus” (Luke 1:3) who, according to some scholars, was the High Priest in the time the book was written. The book is, of course, intended to share with Theophilus and others the Good News of Jesus Christ.
In light of the fact that the Gospel was addressed to the High Priest of the time, Luke presents the Lord as the true High Priest who is God himself in our midst, Emmanuel.
The first and last scenes of every Gospel are often connected, giving us an idea of the overall message that the evangelist is trying to convey. The first scene that the Gospel of Luke portrays (1: 5-25) is that of a High Priest, Zechariah, who is officiating the most important service of the day and, according to some scholars, the most important service of the year as well.
On that day, after the priest had offered an animal sacrifice in atonement for the sins of Israel and his own sins, he would then enter the most sacred place in the temple, the Holy of Holies. This most sacred place was thought to be God’s dwelling place on this earth, and it was hidden by a curtain from any human look. Right next to the curtain there was an altar which the priest would incense on this most solemn day. After the priest had offered incense to God, symbolizing the prayers of Israel going up to heaven and to God’s ears, the priest would then go out to where the crowd was and bless the people on God’s behalf. This priestly blessing was one of the most expected events by the people of Israel. The Gospel says that “[…] the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary” (Luke 1: 21.)
When Zachariah came out of the temple after having officiated in the Holy of Holies, he was not able to speak! (Luke 1:22.) He had gone mute because of his unbelief and thus was not able to fulfill one of the most important priestly tasks, that of blessing the people after having spent time in the presence of God.
At the end of the Gospel of Luke, however, the author presents the scene of the Lord’s ascension into heaven. Luke says that the Lord “led [his disciples out] as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them [and] as he blessed them, he parted from them and was taken up to heaven” (24: 50-51.) The blessing that Zachariah was unable to impart, Jesus gives to his disciples, for indeed he is the true High Priest (Hebrews 4: 14) who intercedes on our behalf to the Father and is himself God’s presence and blessing to us as well, Emmanuel, God with us. (Matthew 1:23.)
This week, I invite us all to pay close attention to this beautiful narrative of the Gospel of Luke that will be continuously read at Mass this present liturgical year. May the Good news of Christ, God in our midst, resound with ever new force in our ears and in our hearts making, as he promised, all things new
(Revelation 25: 1.)