Models of Courageous Faith: Lessons on Trust from David, Paul, and Mary

Julie South [00:00:08]:

Welcome to your Catholic Corner. Merry Christmas. I'm your show host, Julie south. Your catholic corner helps Catholic spiritually prepare for each Sunday's mass starting midweek each week. You can listen to yourcatholic corner@yourcatholiccorner.com today we are uncovering the biblical gems hidden in the books of the Prophet Samuel, Paul's letter to the Romans, and Luke's Gospel in catholic speak. We're in the fourth and the final week of advent in year B. Before we go into Christmas, to make it easier for you and for me to better understand the Bible, we'll have a look at what was going on at the time these passages were written. Because you can't apply 21st century context to something that's thousands of years old.

Julie South [00:01:07]:

We need some historical context. We'll listen to the passages, and then I'll share my insights and reflections on what God might be asking of us here in today's 21st century digital world.

Julie South [00:01:23]:

But before that, a quick word about your catholic corner, just in case this is your first time here. Regardless of where you are on your spiritual journey, whether you've only just heard of that man called Jesus, you're new to Catholicism or your a cradle catholic. My prayer is that your catholic corner will help bring God's word to life in your heart through insights, reflections and practical applications that help deepen your relationship with God. Every Thursday we'll start preparing for mass by uncovering the richness hidden in each Sunday's Bible readings, from Old Testament prophecies to gospel parables. I invite you to join me and the parishioners of the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Hamilton, New Zealand, sponsors of your catholic corner so that together we can hear God's word and echo. Samuel, speak, Lord, your servant is listening. Now let's get back to today's show.

Julie South [00:02:24]:

This week's question of the week. This 101 question about Catholicism is, what do the priests wear and why do the colors change? Both of those are really good questions. Maybe you haven't even noticed that the colors change with what they wear. I must say, it took me quite a few mass attendances before I realized that the priests change their colors out from time to time. I also realized that the garb the priests wore was not regular, everyday clothing, and I had no idea what it was called or its origin. One of the things that really called to me when I was going through my RCIA program, the writer catholic initiation for adults was the enduring symbolism of the catholic faith. I think tradition is important as it provides us with anchors and relevancy, regardless of what that tradition is for, as I'm sure you'll agree. Well, I'd like to think you'll agree the Catholic Church has stood the test of time.

Julie South [00:03:30]:

Yes, it's gone through some rocky periods, just like we all do in our own lives and families, but it's still here right from the very beginning. So today, let's look at priestly garments, just like judicial robes and sometimes wigs worn by judges presiding over court cases. Catholic priests have also long worn specialized ceremonial robes. This is to visibly mark their sacred authority when presiding over masses, weddings, funerals and other important christian events like sacraments. The donning, the polygon of ornate and some might say elaborate garments signals the solemn, formal nature of upcoming proceedings. This applies to both civil judicial processes, like in our courts, as well as deeply spiritual ceremonies like the Eucharist. Talked about the Eucharist last week. So if this is the first time that you've heard the term Eucharist, then please go back and listen to last week's episode because I give a 101 explanation on what the Eucharist is all about in there.

Julie South [00:04:45]:

To find that episode. I'll put the links in the show notes for you. Let's look at now the terminology and the origin of the word vestments because that's what they wear. Priests, cardinals, bishops and the pope wear robes called vestments. Vestments. The word vestment comes from the latin vestus, which means robe or gown. To vest literally refers to providing clothing, but also has the legal meaning of having or granting authority or official powers to carry out important societal, legal, or religious functions. You might have come across the word vest or vested interest in legal documents.

Julie South [00:05:36]:

That's where it comes from. Vestus. In the catholic tradition, vestments originated in the temple ceremonies of ancient Judaism. In Exodus 28, verse 30, the Lord commanded Moses to make special garments for his sons who were to serve as priests, and it quoted to quote there, it says, these garments were to be made of fine linen and adorned with various precious stones and metals. As Christianity emerged through the ages, vestment styles have gradually incorporated elements of common grecoroman attire into tunics, into stalls and other clothing, whilst at the same time they retain their symbolic and religious overtones. As early as the fourth century, the color of religious vestments began to carry spiritual symbolism that shifted across seasons of the liturgical calendar. I explained what liturgical meant last week. So again, if this is your first time with that word, you might find it helpful to go back and listen to last week's episode for that as well regarding the colors, violet came to be known as the sombre in the very contemplative moods of penitential or atoning seasons like advent and lent.

Julie South [00:07:05]:

White and gold bursts would light up major feast days like Christmas and Easter, and these colors were symbolic of matching the joy and the saving light of Christ. Red symbolised the passion or Jesus'crucifixion and the blood shed by the martyrs. While green represents new hope as in new life, new hope life during ordinary time, so green is during ordinary is an ordinary time color. That's what the priests wear most of the year, times that aren't advent, Christmas, lent or Easter. So as you can see, as well as setting priests apart, all these rich colors are connected with worship rituals to the overarching narrative of redemption and sacrifice that's woven all the way through scripture and especially through catholic theology. While catholic vestments trace their heritage to ancient biblical temple ceremonial dress, we're not the only religion to have symbolic clothing. Many other religions integrate special clothing for those presiding over community rituals as well. Jewish cantors and rabbis wear prayer shawls, head coverings and talents.

Julie South [00:08:35]:

Buddhist monks wear saffron or maroon robes indicating their monastic rank. And muslim imams and leaders often wear flowing captain robes and head covers when leading prayers or holiday celebrations. And eastern orthodox priests also wear elaborate brocade vestments decorated with christian iconography. So as you can see, while styles vary across faiths, ceremonial garments reinforce sacred rituals and spiritual authority for religious leaders. While early vestment decoration became elaborate during the Middle Ages and the Baroque period, the reforms of Vatican two in 1965 aimed to promote noble simplicity. Again, I talked about a bit about Vatican two last week as well. Just saying. Modern vestment styles have also done away with excessive ornamentation, although they've still retained the core garment types and their symbolic liturgical colors.

Julie South [00:09:46]:

So even though catholic vestment styles have adapted through the centuries, their core purpose remains as a visual reminder of the priest's sacred duties. And of course, the vestments denote the spiritual lineage passed down from those ancient priests and times. Every time a priest puts on his religious robes, his vestments, he's connecting himself to the very origins of religious ritualistic clothing. It's just another visual and tangible symbol that stretched and endured across the millennia of the catholic faith. If you've got a question that you'd like answered, I'd welcome the opportunity to research it for you. You can get in touch with me anytime by visiting yourcatholiccorner.com your now let's look at today's Bible passages. We're listening to God's word from two Samuel chapter seven, verses one. Quite a few, one through five, eight through 1214 and 16.

Julie South [00:11:03]:

Romans, chapter 16, verses 25 through 27, and the Luke chapter 126 through 38. What do these passages have in common? Is actually there anything in common with them? Well, let's have a look and see if there's any connecting thread or threads, plural. And if so, what do they look like? In two Samuel seven, God makes a promise to king David that one of his future descendants will be the messiah. This passage refers to the coming of the chosen one, who will rule God's people forever. And then hundreds of years later, in Romans 16, Paul writes to people in Rome telling them the good news about Jesus. Paul says that Jesus is the messiah that's been promised long ago. And this connects back to God's promise that we just talked about in two Samuel seven. And then in Luke chapter one, we have the angel Gabriel telling Mary she's going to give birth to Jesus.

Julie South [00:12:08]:

This connects back to the Old Testament passage in two Samuel seven and the New Testament passage in romans 16 by showing how Jesus fulfills God's ancient promise to king David about the prophecy of the coming of the messiah. As you can see, the common thread across these three passages. Well, hopefully you can see from Samuel Paul's letter to the Romans and Luke is that they all refer to Jesus as the fulfillment of the messiah prophecy. God promised a future ruler for his people. Paul says that Jesus is that chosen one. And then Luke tells of Jesus'birth as the promised messiah. Together they show how Jesus completes the Old Testament prophecy to David about a coming rescuer. Once David had settled into his house and the Lord had given him rest from all the enemies surrounding him, the king said to the prophet, Nathan, look, I am living in a house of cedar while the ark of God dwells in a tent.

Julie South [00:13:32]:

Nathan said to the king, go and do all that is in your mind, for the Lord is with you. But that very night, the word of the Lord came to Nathan, go and tell my servant David. Thus the Lord speaks. Are you the man to build me a house to dwell in? I took you from the pasture from following the sheep to be leader of my people Israel. I have been with you on all your expeditions. I have cut off all your enemies before you. I will give you fame as great as the fame of the greatest on earth. I will provide a place for my people Israel.

Julie South [00:14:17]:

I will plant them there, and they shall dwell in that place and never be disturbed again. Nor shall the wicked continue to oppress them as they did in the days when I appointed judges over the people of Israel. I will give them rest from all their enemies. The Lord will make you great. The Lord will make you a house. And when your days are ended and you are laid to rest with your ancestors, I will preserve the offspring of your body after you and make his sovereignty secure. I will be a father to him, and he a son to me. If he does evil, I will punish him with the rod such as men use with strokes such as mankind gives.

Julie South [00:15:06]:

Your house and your sovereignty will always stand secure before me and your throne be established forever. The word of the Lord. A reading from the letter to the Romans. Glory to him who is able to give you strength to live according to the good news I preach and in which I proclaim Jesus Christ. The revelation of a mystery kept secret for endless ages, but now so clear that it must be broadcast to pagans everywhere to bring them to the obedience of faith. This is only what scripture has predicted, and it is all part of the way the eternal God wants things to be. He alone is wisdom. Give glory therefore to him through Jesus Christ, forever and ever.

Julie South [00:16:08]:

Amen. A reading from the gospel according to Luke. The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. He went in and said to her, rejoice. So highly favored. The Lord is with you. She was deeply disturbed by those words and asked herself what this greeting could mean.

Julie South [00:16:46]:

But the angel said to her, mary, do not be afraid. You have won God's favor. Listen. You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called son of the most high. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. He will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and his reign will have no end. Mary said to the angel, but how can this be about? Since I am a virgin? The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the angel answered, and the power of the most high will cover you with its shadow.

Julie South [00:17:23]:

And so the child will be holy and will be called son of God. Know this, too. Your kinswoman, Elizabeth, has in her old age herself conceived a son. And she whom people called Baron, is now in her six months. For nothing is impossible to God. I am the handmaid of the Lord, said Mary. Let what you have said be done to me. And the angel left her.

Julie South [00:18:10]:

What was God saying to you through these three men? Let's look at some of the metaphors that each man has used and just see whether the spark anything with you like they did with me. When God promises an enduring house house in quotes and dynasty to David in two Samuel seven, this metaphor could go beyond the physical structure of a bricks and mortar house to represent establishing David's spiritual legacy across ages. And then if we continue beyond the bricks and mortar physical building, God could also be asking us to build a dwelling place in our hearts for him so that he can work within us. For this to happen, we your and I, me, myself and I, we need to make a space for things like prayer. A space a time for things like prayer, scripture, bible reading, and spiritual contemplation. Activities that allow God to rebuild and inhabit that house in our hearts, in a sanctuary for him, a place where he can establish his kingdom and reign within us, indwell within us. In the second passage, we have the imagery of a mystery now revealed in romans 16. This refers to how the gospel reveals God's long hidden plan and purpose through Jesus.

Julie South [00:19:55]:

For us modern readers who demand instant proof this and everything to happen in the now, like right now, this reminds us that there are still mysteries of faith that God will reveal to us in his own timing in God's time. Christos Time talked about this last week as well, rather than us knowing instantly of knowing now in Kronos time. So we have again the difference between Christos and Kronos. Maybe this metaphor of mystery is asking us to be more like Paul. Perhaps when he came to finally get just a glimpse of God's ways. We too, you, me, we must follow and allow our understanding to gradually deepen and get stronger throughout our entire spiritual journey, all of it, as long as it takes as God so that God can work in us, mysteriously in us. And then finally in Luke one, our Lady Mary models a huge courage and trust in God. Despite what have been massive uncertainty on her part.

Julie South [00:21:11]:

Mary's story acts as possibly, I think, the most powerful metaphor ever that's absolutely relevant for how we live today. Though the specific circumstances are unique, never to be repeated or replicated, the broader qualities embodied through Mary give us a model which we can use to guide our own lives. Your are mine. Here we are 2023 years later. Let's think about it at the core, because Mary's narrative represents courageous faith in the face of huge uncertainty. When the angel Gabriel hits Mary up with a profoundly disorienting call that would have made very little sense within her existing reality, she responded wholeheartedly with radical trust. Despite all the unknowns. She asked but one question.

Julie South [00:22:14]:

Mary asked one question only, and that was, how can this be? For I am a virgin. That was it. That's all she said. How can this be? Therefore, rather than demanding answers to questions she must surely have had, or to remain clinging to control or resisting a future that she couldn't grasp, Mary stepped forward in total obedience that hung on God's faithfulness over her fears. In your modern age of skepticism, we're tempted, and it's easy to dismiss anything that doesn't perfectly to compute with our expectations or our intellect if we can't put it down to science. And yet here we have Mary modeling totally, 100% embracing mystery, choosing to walk in trust beyond reason when God's plan seems improbable and even absurd by the world's standards. She ventures beyond safety and comfort through her courageous yes, so today I'm sure we can all relate to Mary in those unsettling moments when our life turns upside down, when the unexpected leaves us confused and afraid. Mary's story, Mary's account, can be a metaphor to lean into God's purpose for us rather than running away or even recoiling in mistrust.

Julie South [00:23:50]:

It takes huge spiritual courage to let go of our need for control. But it's when we can take these acts of risky faith and surrender, our divine destiny is unlocked, just as Mary's divine destiny did for all humanity. Our divine destiny won't be as historical as hers, as monumental as hers in the big global sense of what it could be like. But here we are, over 2000 years later, with no other example of such trust. God calls us to entrust our lives to him, even when the path ahead seems unbelievable. Just as in Mary's day, God is at work in the unexpected mysteries in our lives as well. In your life, in my life. If we were to draw these key metaphors together, of these the Bible readings, we can see scripture linking God's past revelation to ongoing present and future work through trusting men like David and a woman like no other like Mary, and then ultimately through to Jesus.

Julie South [00:25:07]:

What we have is an invitation to those of us on our spiritual journey to nurture patient, faithful and mysterious understanding when the time is right, rather than demanding instant insight. All of this information interesting and helpful. I hope this podcast helps you prepare and maybe even understand, just a teeny tiny, incy wincy dinky little bit better, the wonderful word of God and the beautiful traditions of the catholic faith. Thank you for spending the last half an hour or so of your life with God. Samuel Paul Luke and me. I pray that each of these men, in their own way, coupled hopefully with my humble input of history and context, contributes to making the difference God wishes for you today in your life. Thank you for getting this far. Can I ask you to do me a huge favor please? If you enjoyed today's show, can you please help me spread God's word about your catholic corner? All you have to do is just tell three of your friends and family about this podcast so they can hopefully benefit as well.

Julie South [00:26:30]:

Letting them know about it is easy. It's free. Just invite them to visit yourcatholiccorner.com. There they can subscribe and follow the show. It's free, doesn't cost anything. Thank you very much. Wherever you are, I pray that God's glass of love overflows in your heart and your life and that when you're ready, your able to accept God's invitation to you to join him to share in holy Communion at your local catholic parish. I pray also that you'll be able to hear Samuel's words and say, speak Lord, your servant is listening.

Julie South [00:27:09]:

And finally, I'd like to say thank you to the parishioners of the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary who helped me bring this podcast to you today. This is Julie south signing off until next week. Peace be with you. God bless and may your Christmas be merry and blessed.