Skip to main content

Advent Series - December 24 - Last One

+
JMJ


December 24


Yesterday we talked about how the Greeks took over Judea, and how the Machabees fought the Greek Seleucids.

Judah Machabeus and his brothers belonged to the Hasmonean family. The Hasmoneans continued to rule Judea and for some time, Judea was independent. The territory of Judea expanded northward to include 2 non-Jewish regions; Sumeria and Idumaea.

During this time, the Jews were mainly concerned with keeping their independence, and the purity of the Jewish religion. 

The Pharisees and the Saducees came into existence, as well as the Sanhedrin.
The Sanhedrin was a council of 71 Jewish leaders who made important decisions.

Meanwhile, the Roman Empire had grown very powerful. So far, Judea was on friendly terms with Rome, but things were about to change.

The leader of Judea died and his 2 sons fought over who would become the next ruler. An Idumean named Antipater saw his chance to gain power. Antipater made a deal with the Romans to take over Judea.

In 62 B.C. the Roman Army entered Jerusalem. In 47 B.C. Judea officially became a Roman province, and Antipater (who himself was not a Jew) was put in charge as Rome’s procurator.

This was prophesied by Jacob (Israel) when he said, 


“The sceptre shall not be taken away from Juda, nor a ruler from his thigh, till he come that is to be sent, and he shall be the expectation of nations.” (Genesis 49:10)

By this time Rome had expanded to include most of the known world. Julius Caesar was the Roman ruler, but he would be assasinated in 44 B.C. (“Et tu, Brute!”)
Julius Caesar’s grand nephew and heir; Octavian took over leadership with Mark Antony.

In 37 B.C. Antipater’s son, Herod succeeded his father as procurator.
Although he worked for Rome, Herod made everyone call him “King Herod the Great”.

Meanwhile, Mark Antony (and Cleopatra) began fighting Octavian over who would rule Rome. Octavian won and took the name Caesar Augustus in 27 B.C. Caesar Augustus ruled from 27 B.C. to A.D. 14.

St. Jerome said that this was the first time that the world was truly united and there was no war. The Romans built roads connecting every country, and everyone spoke Latin. Conditions were just right for the spreading of the Gospel.

“And it came to pass, that in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled…and Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem…to be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.” (Luke 2)

Our Lord was from the line of King David. Like King David, He was born in Bethlehem and would later rule (from the cross) in Jerusalem.

“And it came to pass that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Our Lord was placed in a “manger” (a place for feeding), in the town of Bethlehem, which means “House of Bread”. This prefigures the Holy Eucharist. Jesus is the Bread of Life; Who comes to us in Holy Communion.

“And there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night watches over their flock. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them…And the angel said to them: Fear not; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy…For, this day, is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2)

Rulers may fight for power and kingdoms rise and fall, but God does not change.

May the Infant Jesus; the Eternal Word made flesh; bless you on His birthday!




Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Curious Case of Steve Skojec and the Dangers of Deep Diving into the Crisis Sub-Titled: The Failings of Others

 + JMJ It's been a while now since Steve Skojec sold 1P5 and abandoned the Catholic Faith. I've been a 'Trad' since 1982 and in those 40+ years I seen this death-spiral before with a similar end point. It seems that anyone who jumps into the fray unprepared for the enormous task of righting wrongs will, eventually, become discouraged by not the task but the people who surround them.   I remember when Skojec complained of the treatment his family received from a traditional priest.  This seems to have been the start of the end for him. So what can we learn from the likes of Steve Skojec, Michael Voris (maybe?), Louie Verrecchio, Gerry Matatix and other celebrity Catholics? Probably quite a lot about what not to do. First, don't burn out on the crisis?  When you burn out, on work or anything else, little things assume a more greater importance than they are due.   This is one of my 'canary in the coal mine' signals that I've been stretching myself too thin

Morning and Evening and other sundry Prayers

+ JMJ Along the theme of P^3 (Prayer, Penance, Patience), and for my own reference ... here is a collection of Morning and Evening prayers from the Ideal Daily Missal along with some additional prayers. In this crisis of the Church, I do not think it is possible to do too much prayer, penance and have patience. P^3

Comparision of the Tridentine, Cranmer and Novus Ordo Masses

+ JMJ I downloaded the comparison that was linked in the previous article on the mass (here) . ... a very good reference! P^3 From: Whispers of Restoration (available at this link) . CHARTING LITURGICAL CHANGE Comparing the 1962 Ordinary of the Roman Mass to changes made during the Anglican Schism; Compared in turn to changes adopted in the creation of Pope Paul VI’s Mass in 1969 The chart on the reverse is a concise comparison of certain ritual differences between three historical rites for the celebration of the Catholic Mass Vetus Ordo: “Old Order,” the Roman Rite of Mass as contained in the 1962 Missal, often referred to as the “Traditional Latin Mass.”The Ordinary of this Mass is that of Pope St. Pius V (1570) following the Council of Trent (1545-63), hence the occasional moniker “Tridentine Mass.” However, Trent only consolidated and codified the Roman Rite already in use at that time; its essential form dates to Pope St. Gregory the Great (+604), in whose time the R

What the heck is a congregation of "Pontifical Right"

+ JMJ In a discussion with a friend the question occurred to me that I didn't actually know was is involved in being a religious order of 'pontifical right'. I had a vague notion that this meant they reported to Rome as opposed to the local diocese. I'm also aware that, according to the accounts I have heard, the Archbishop received 'praise' and the written direction to incardinate priests directly into the SSPX.  This is interesting because it implies that the SSPX priests were no longer required to incardinate in the local diocese but in the SSPX. This is something that belongs to an order of 'pontifical right'. Anyway here's some definitions: Di diritto pontificio is the Italian term for “of pontifical right” . It is given to the ecclesiastical institutions (the religious and secular institutes, societies of apostolic life) either created by the Holy See or approved by it with the formal decree, known by its Latin name, Decretu