advent reflection for dec 4

royal freedom

Jews at the time of Jesus constantly hoped that God would keep his promise to send a great king. Kings in the Old Testament (as well as prophets and priests) were anointed with oil to signify their special place among God’s people. The Hebrew word for a person anointed by God was “Messiah” (in Greek, “Christ”).

When we say that the Jews were looking for a Messiah, we’re referring to their hopes for a future king like David. God made a promise that David’s descendants would sit on the throne forever (2 Samuel 7:12-14). However, the kingdom was later divided, and then conquered. At the close of the Old Testament, we’re left wondering how God will keep his promises. This is why Matthew opens his Gospel by designating (at great lengths) that Jesus is the son of David (Matthew 1:1-17). Matthew tells us that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise to his people. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is indeed the great king who comes to fulfill these hopes.

By our baptism, we’re all anointed. We’re all incorporated into Christ’s kingship. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that we exercise our participation in Christ’s kingship by living a moral life (CCC 908). We allow Christ to reign in our hearts instead of submitting to the yolk of slavery to sin. As we prepare for the coming of the King of kings, let us consider those sins that enslave us. Let us renounce them and proclaim our royal freedom and the coming of the Kingdom of God.