Advent: Awaiting the Star and the Sceptre

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Monday, 3rd Week of Advent, Year B, and the Memorial of  St. John of the Cross, December 14th, 2020

Texts: Num. 24:2-7.15-17a; Ps. 25:4-4-9; Matt. 21:23-27

Today's first reading is about God's plan for Israel. God would make Israel blossom and make a star come forth out of him and a sceptre to rise out of him. It is this promised star that we await at Advent. 

Star is imagery of illumination and glory. Jesus Christ is the star; he is coming to illuminate us. St. John says, "In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:1-4). Jesus is coming to banish ignorance and give understanding and knowledge. Jesus Christ, as star, is the revelation of God himself and also revelation of man to man. In Jesus Christ, we encounter God and also see ourselves in him, for he is both God and man. As star, he reveals God to us and also shows us who we are. 

Star also reminds us of the glory he shared with us, his glory as the son. He makes us co-heirs with himself.  St. John says, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12). St. Paul puts it thus: "Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God" (Gal. 4:7).

Another name given to Jesus in the prophecy of Balaam is Sceptre. As a Sceptre, he is an authority himself. Hence, the prophecy answered the question posed in the gospel reading: "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" 

We await a Saviour who is coming to rule. Moses ruled with the law, but Jesus is coming to rule with grace and truth. St. John puts it thus: "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17). Jesus' Sceptre is that of grace, truth, mercy, justice and righteousness. His kingdom is that of love. He is coming to make us rule with him in righteousness and truth. It is said, "And you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth” (Rev. 5:10).

We are called today to follow Jesus Christ, the star. Being the star he is a guide who can lead us to glory. Being the Sceptre, he rules with love, grace, truth, and mercy.

Lord Jesus Christ, we beg you to always guide us and rule us, that we might not go astray. Amen.

Rev. Fr. Andrew Olowomuke