the revolutionary war
“I have swallowed up my enemies; I rejoice in my victory.” —1 Samuel 2:1
Hannah prophesied that the bows of the mighty would be broken (1 Sm 2:4) and that the Lord would lift up the poor to be seated with nobles (1 Sm 2:8). Hannah does not explicitly prophesy the downfall of the powerful but only the empowerment of the poor.
Mary’s prophecy in today’s Gospel reading is much more revolutionary. She proclaimed that the proud would be confused and the mighty deposed from their thrones (Lk 1:51-52). In Mary’s prophecy, the lowly will not join the powerful but displace them. Mary’s prophecy was fulfilled in her Son, Jesus.
Herod understood the meaning of Christmas much better than most people. Herod realized that the birth of Jesus would be his own downfall (Lk 2:34), so he tried to kill Jesus (Mt 2:16).
The Christmas season is colored with blood-red martyrdoms. It is revolutionary. Christmas is an attack on the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Join Jesus’ army. Live and die for His kingdom. Join the Christmas-revolution.
Prayer: Father, I repent of sin and rejoin the forces of Your revolution.
Promise: “The hungry He has given every good thing, while the rich He has sent empty away.” —Lk 1:53
Praise: “O King of all the nations, the only Joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature You fashioned from the dust.”
Reference: (For a related teaching on Jesus, the Redeemer, listen to, download or order our CD 50-3 or DVD 50 on our website.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from December 1, 2023, through January 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 17, 2023"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.