I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered

 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body."  Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.  For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.  But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."  And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written:

'I will strike the Shepherd,
And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'

"But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee."  Peter answered and said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble."  Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."  Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!"  And so said all the disciples.

- Matthew 26:26-35

Yesterday we read that on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, "Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?"  And he said, "Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples," ' "  So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.  When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve.  Now as they were eating, He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me."  And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, "Lord, is it I?"  He answered and said, "He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me."  And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, "Lord, is it I?"  He answered and said, "He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me.  The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed!  It would have been good for that man if he had not been born."  Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, "Rabbi, is it I?"  He said to him, "You have said it."

 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body."  Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.  For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."  Here is the institution of the Eucharist by Jesus; it is the long-awaited messianic banquet (as my study bible describes it), to which He admits notably even Judas (compare Esther 7), as Christ still seeks by all means to save Judas.  As his heart was wicked, the participation of Judas leads to his condemnation (1 Corinthians 11:27-30).  Christ's words are repeated in the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (the universal template for Christian liturgy), inviting the faithful to receive His body and blood.  In Holy Communion, we are truly united to Christ.  Jesus gave thanks (in the original Greek, this verb, eucharisteo/ευχαριστεω is the root for "eucharist").  My study bible says this teaches us first, how we are to celebrate this sacrament; second, that Christ comes willingly to His Passion, and finally that we are to accept even sufferings with thankfulness -- understanding that God can use sufferings for ultimate good.  The Old Covenant, it explains, was sealed with the blood of bulls and goats.  The New is sealed by the gift of Christ, who shed His own blood to conquer sin and death -- and to reconcile us with God.  Christ names it the blood of the new covenant:  God's promise and the fulfillment of the Law.  By "new," my study bible says, He means that this covenant brings immortality and incorruptible life; this covenant will always have the quality of newness.  For many, as noted in previous readings in Matthew, is an Aramaic expression meaning "for all" (see, for example, 20:24-28).

"But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."   The patristic commentators teach that Jesus also drinks this cup of His own Blood.  This He does to lead all believers into participation in His heavenly mysteries.  In My Father's kingdom relates to the time after His Resurrection, when Christ will eat and drink before the disciples in order to show the reality of His victory over death (Luke 24:41-43).  Additionally, this references the eternal banquet of the Kingdom in the age to come.

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.  We note the tradition of Passover.   After the meal, it is likely Jesus and the disciples sung Psalms 115-118.

Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written:  'I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'  But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee."  St. John Chrysostom comments that Christ cites the prophecy (Zechariah 13:7) which shows both His adherence and participation in the Old Covenant (for it was through this that the prophecy was given), but also besides giving clear warning what will happen this night, Jesus at the same time gives assurance that all is happening within a greater plan of salvation.  Moreover, we as readers are asked to compare the disciples who are unable to stand their ground at Christ's Crucifixion, but the same men will take the gospel to the whole world after His death.  I will go before you to Galilee is an assurance to them of the Resurrection.

Peter answered and said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble."  Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."  Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!"  And so said all the disciples.  The Gospels give us Peter's bravado, which leads him into not only denying Christ's word, but making of himself a liar.  St. John Chrysostom suggests that possibly the passion for recognition is still actively at work, the disciples' desire for greatness which has repeatedly come as questions as they drew nearer to Jerusalem.  Peter's failure will be a great lesson in humility, as Christ has repeatedly taught the disciples as the moment of His Crucifixion drew nearer and in response to their questions about great places in His kingdom (see, for example, this reading).  Let us note also that the rest of the disciples are persuaded by Peter's emphatic declaration to say the same, and so all effectively become liars in denial of Christ's prophecy, as all will be scattered at the Crucifixion.

What is betrayal, and how do we think about it?  In yesterday's reading, we read of and commented on Judas' betrayal of Christ (also upcoming in our readings next week).  In today's reading, Jesus not only institutes the Eucharist, but He also predicts Peter's denial of him, which Peter vehemently denies.  We could ironically say that the Eucharist is established and offered on this eve of betrayal and denials -- before the disciples are scattered and flee at His Crucifixion (Matthew 26:56, Mark 14:50, John 16:32) -- as healing offering and sacrament for the ills that will come from their separation, and even the ailments of the world.  It is instituted once and for all time, for all of us, as the way to call us back to God, back into communion.  But let us note, as does the commentary in my study bible, that the sacrament isn't a cure-all in the sense that it works against our own free will choice:  even such powerful help needs our assent, just as it only results in deeper condemnation for Judas as he still follows through with betrayal and fails to return to communion.  In a certain sense, any denial or betrayal of Christ on our part is effectively a denial or betrayal of ourselves, as we truly and ultimate "come to ourselves" when we find ourselves and our identity in Christ.  This is, in effect, the long -- lifelong -- process of our faith, a constant coming to Christ.  In the world of brokenness we will find many betrayals and denials, some in ourselves and some from others.  But ultimately, broken communion with ourselves or others reflects a deep need for our own spiritual communion with Christ, and it is there that all things are healed.  Indeed, it is there that good may come from evil, just as Resurrection comes from Crucifixion.  The Gospels do not spare us the failings of the disciples, even betrayal by Judas, and even though all are chosen by Jesus (John 6:70).  They give us a picture of ourselves in our own failings, and teach us the need we have to return to Christ in our failings, to see our way through an imperfect life.  The Eucharist always gives us an image of the union we desire, the ultimate healing, and is also called Communion for this reason.  In our places where we also miss the mark, let us consider that life in this journey of faith is a learning curve for us, as it was for the Twelve.  But even as we enter times of hardship and difficulty, darkness and testing -- even evil -- we must do so with awareness that He is with us, and with Him even the worst of times, when all are scattered, can be used for greater good.  We don't live in a perfect world, we live in a world where evil is present in the form of hardships, temptations, suffering, and death.  Our Lord goes to the Cross, but we are invited in our own lives to participate in communion with Him.  From the Cross comes Resurrection.  As we are called to bear our own crosses in life and live through His faith, so we also attend Resurrection in our own lives, in every possible form, and we are drawn, like the disciples, ever closer to Him through this process.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.  This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.  So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.  So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you:  You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

"Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us."  And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.  Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.  And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.  Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

- Luke 2:1-21

 Yesterday, Christmas Eve, we had two readings, which included two songs:  one of Mary, and the other of Zacharias.  The Holy Spirit is actively at work with prophecy and beauty as Jesus is formed in the womb.  We read Mary's Magnificat:  "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.  For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;  for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.  For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.  And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.  He has shown strength with His arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.  He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly.  He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.  He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever."    And then Zacharias loses his muteness and also gives his song through the power of the Holy Spirit, called the Benedictus:  "Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us   In the house of His servant David, as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, who have been since the world began, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, to perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, the oath which He swore to our father Abraham:  To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.  And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." 

 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.  This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.  So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.   My study bible tells us that God uses earthly rulers to accomplish His will.  This census enabled Christ to be born in Bethlehem, fulfilling the prophecy of Micah (Micah 5:1).  In the hymn by St. Cassiane which is sung at Vespers of the Lord's Nativity in the Eastern Church of the Lord's Nativity, Augustus ruling as the only emperor over many scattered cities becomes an icon of our one Lord who gathers the scattered pagans of the world.  Christ having been registered in the fallen world then enables the faithful to be registered in the name of God.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.  So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.   We notice the term "firstborn" used here; it indicates that no child was born before Jesus.  My study bible says that the firstborn son is traditionally the primary heir and recipient of blessings.  "Christ is the firstborn over all creation, and thus the firstborn from the dead (Colossians 1:15, 18).  In icons of the Nativity, Christ's swaddling cloths are depicted as burial wrappings, affirming that one purpose of His coming to endure death.  The manager, or feed trough, would have been in a cave where animals were kept, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah:  'The ox knows its owner and the donkey its master's crib"  (Isaiah 1:3).

 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  My study bible says that shepherds are chosen to hear the first announcement of the Nativity.  They are symbols of Christ the Good Shepherd (John 10:11).  Unlike the Pharisees, they were without guile and had simple faith.  The glory of the Lord tells us about the coming of the Light into the world.

Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you:  You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"  A note tells us:  "The message of the first angel is confirmed by the multitude,  fulfilling the Law in which every word is established with two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15).  Christ Himself is our peace who has come to earth; in Him, man is no longer estranged from God (see Ephesians 2:14-16)."

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us."  And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.  Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.  And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.  Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.   My study bible says that the shepherds are also images of the bishops and presbyters of the Church, who proclaim Christ to the world.  It cites St. Ambrose, who writes that Mary's own faith was strengthened by the news from the shepherds, and he asks, "If Mary herself learns from the shepherds, why do so many refuse to learn from the presbyters of the Church?"

And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.  Christ comes to perfectly fulfill the Law, and He receives circumcision under the Law.  In the Eastern Church, it is an ancient tradition to name a child eight days after birth, with a special blessing.

Let us consider all the things that are at work here in the scene of Jesus' birth.  The whole universe is, in some sense, singing.  With the hymns and proclamations of the angels to the shepherds, we get the feeling that if only one were still enough, and far away from the busyness of the town, out in the fields at night, one can hear this hymn and this proclamation of the good news of the Light that makes its way into the world, as one of us.  The news itself is so "bright" that the shepherds feel compelled to come into Bethlehem, looking for the Child.  While Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart, the shepherds rejoice and give glory to God.  It's intriguing that my study bible points out that the good news of the shepherds works also to strengthen the faith of Mary.  We think of her as a tower of strength in terms of her faith, but here we see clearly how the universe works to bring the light into the world, and by increasing our faith.  We all work together in this work of faith, even in the receiving of the Light.  John's Gospel teaches us, in his own version of the genealogy of Christ:  "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not"  (John 1:5).  Yesterday we read in Zacharias' prophetic song, that the purpose of this mission is "to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."  If we really understand peace as that state we have when we are reconciled to God, then peace is also a place of this great light filling us, our world, our thoughts, our hearts.  And this peace can be offered from one to another, through one to another.  We are all in this together with saints and angels.  The spreading of the light then becomes a corporate work, involving the vast mechanisms of the universe in touch with our hearts, where we both share this light and this peace, and receive it one from another.  There are no barriers to this work; it travels from generation through generation and onward, we live with the living body of all the saints and the holy angels, entering into praise, hymns, and also the glory of the Lord that shone around the shepherds.  We are all together, as we live to the God of the living and not the dead.  Jesus will tell His followers that they are the light of the world, and that we must let our light so shine before all that they may see our good works, that they should glorify the heavenly Father as well.  We all work together, entering into one another's labor.  We have lots of help.  Let us remember the shepherds who strengthened Mary's faith, and accept that the power of that faith is really peace -- the light that shines into the world in Him is our light to shine as well.  Let's take note of the fact that there is no room at the inn, despite all the heavenly help, the prophecy, the work of the Holy Spirit, the angels.  And let us think -- perhaps when everything doesn't go perfectly according to our plans, there's another plan at work that needs our faith, so that we go on to discover the "plan" of a lifetime.