Side Discussion- The Passion in Chapter 2

[smithm29]

One of my commentaries points out that Matthew's infancy narrative is not just about Jesus' nativity, but also directs the reader to his eventual passion. From the title assigned to him "King of the Jews" to the innocent blood spilled for him Bethlehem, Daniel Harrington makes the case (in just a short paragraph) that the infancy narrative should always be read in a way that connects Jesus' birth with his death.

I'm looking back to homilies on past Christmases and can't remember the connection being made except in a very cursory way. It's interesting to me now because I'm developing a devotion to Mary's seven sorrows in response to Our Lady of Kibeho's message, and the connection between the first three sorrows (the prophecy of Simeon, the flight into Egypt, and losing Jesus at the temple) and certain joyful mysteries (the nativity, the presentation, and finding Jesus at the temple) has been very poignant for me. Where joy comes with Christ (the nativity), there is also sorrow (the passion), but that sorrow leads to more joy (the resurrection). I wonder how many of us get stuck at the nativity and fail to see the passion, or the passion and fail to see the resurrection? Does the early joy of being a Christian make it hard to focus on the share we have in Christ's cross? Does the pain of the cross and our sacrifice make it too hard to see the resurrection?

I know that in the past I've had a hard time finding meaning in sacrifice, and a hard time finding joy in gifts. It's no wonder I left the Church. I hope that I can find the connection between all of it that I think Matthew found.

[odhiambo]

Originally Posted by smithm29

One of my commentaries points out that Matthew's infancy narrative is not just about Jesus' nativity, but also directs the reader to his eventual passion. From the title assigned to him "King of the Jews" to the innocent blood spilled for him Bethlehem, Daniel Harrington makes the case (in just a short paragraph) that the infancy narrative should always be read in a way that connects Jesus' birth with his death.

I'm looking back to homilies on past Christmases and can't remember the connection being made except in a very cursory way. It's interesting to me now because I'm developing a devotion to Mary's seven sorrows in response to Our Lady of Kibeho's message, and the connection between the first three sorrows (the prophecy of Simeon, the flight into Egypt, and losing Jesus at the temple) and certain joyful mysteries (the nativity, the presentation, and finding Jesus at the temple) has been very poignant for me. Where joy comes with Christ (the nativity), there is also sorrow (the passion), but that sorrow leads to more joy (the resurrection). I wonder how many of us get stuck at the nativity and fail to see the passion, or the passion and fail to see the resurrection? Does the early joy of being a Christian make it hard to focus on the share we have in Christ's cross? Does the pain of the cross and our sacrifice make it too hard to see the resurrection?

I know that in the past I've had a hard time finding meaning in sacrifice, and a hard time finding joy in gifts. It's no wonder I left the Church. I hope that I can find the connection between all of it that I think Matthew found.

I agree of course, it makes sense when you think about it .
Death is after all, at the tail end of birth, and in particular in the case of Jesus, the whole reason for the Incarnation was for the eventual sacrifice on the cross, and lest we forget, myrrh, the anointing oil was presented by the Magi to the infant Jesus, a reminder of His eventual passion and death.

[NotWorthy]

I was recently listening to an MP3 file and the speaker said that Jesus was the only Person in history who's main purpose in life was to die. It's still hard to swallow.

But yes, the infancy narratives do point us to His death, but it seems likes it's only after we understand the whole story. The myrrh is indeed used for burial. The holy innocents pre-figure the numerous Christians who would suffer for their faith. Simeon seems to point to the "Great-Divide" that Jesus would cause among Jews and even speaks of Mary's coming misery. And Jesus' 3 days in the Temple pre-figure His time in the tomb.

I guess its just easy to skim past this part and hurry on to Jesus' Public Ministry.

[odhiambo]

Originally Posted by NotWorthy

I was recently listening to an MP3 file and the speaker said that Jesus was the only Person in history who's main purpose in life was to die. It's still hard to swallow.

But yes, the infancy narratives do point us to His death, but it seems likes it's only after we understand the whole story. The myrrh is indeed used for burial. The holy innocents pre-figure the numerous Christians who would suffer for their faith. Simeon seems to point to the "Great-Divide" that Jesus would cause among Jews and even speaks of Mary's coming misery. And Jesus' 3 days in the Temple pre-figure His time in the tomb.

I guess its just easy to skim past this part and hurry on to Jesus' Public Ministry.

Amazing isn't it , how the bible is networked;
Jesus's three days in the temple and His three days in the tomb; that one had not clicked for me.
Another pointer to the divine inspiration of the Bible.