Χαίρε, κεχαριτωμένη

SCRUTATIO SCRIPTURAE

 

Χαίρε, κεχαριτωμένη 

(Chaire, Kecharitomene)

 Scrutatio 

for the 

FEAST OF THE BIRTH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

and

THE 16TH SUNDAY OF THE CHRISTIAN SEASON OF ORDINARY TIME/TIME OF THE CHURCH

(September 8, 2014)

Readings from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer

Micah 5:1-4a / Psalm 13 / Romans 8:28-30 / Matthew 1:1-16

FOR THE 16^th SUNDAY IN THE CHRISTIAN SEASON OF ORDINARYTIME/TIMEOF THE CHURCH

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 / Psalm 1 / Philemon 1:1-20 / Luke 14:25-33

Readings for the Pauline/Vatican II Rite of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

Micah 5:1-4a or Romans 8:28-30 / Psalm 13:6ab, 6c / Matthew 1:1-16,18-23

FOR THE 16^th SUNDAY IN THE CHRISTIAN SEASON OF ORDINARYTIME/TIMEOF THE CHURCH

Wisdom of King Solomon 9:13-18b / Psalm 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, and 14+17. / Philemon 9-10 and 12-17 / Luke 14:25-33

Readings for the Tridentine Rite of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

Introit: Psalm 45:1 

Epistle: Proverbs 8:23-35

Gradual and Alleluia: 

Thou art blessed and venerable, O Virgin 

Mary, who with purity unstained was 

found to be the Mother of our Saviour. 

V. Virgin  Mother  of  God,  He  whom  the 

whole world was unable to contain enclosed Himself in thy womb, being made 

man. 

Alleluia, alleluia. 

V. Happy art thou, O holy 

Virgin Mary, and of all praise most worthy: 

for out of thee hath risen the sun of justice, Christ our God. Alleluia. 

Gospel 

Matthew 1:1-16

Offertory:

Blessed art thou, O Virgin Mary, who didst 

bear the Creator of all things; thou didst 

bring forth Him Who made thee, and remainest a virgin forever. 

Communion Antiphon: 

Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, 

which bore the Son of the Eternal Father. 

FOR THE 16^th SUNDAY IN THE CHRISTIAN SEASON OF ORDINARYTIME/TIMEOF THE CHURCH

Introit: Psalm 86:3, 5 and 1 

Epistle: Ephesians 3:13-21

Gradual and Alleluia: 

Psalm 102:15 and 98:1

Gospel 

Luke 14:1-11

Offertory:

Psalm 40:13-14

Communion Antiphon: 

Psalm 71:15-18

Hail, Full of Grace!

Let us meditate on today's feast with the help of this 8th Century A.D. homily of Bishop Andrew of Crete, entitled:

THE OLD HAS PASSED AWAY, ALL THINGS ARE MADE NEW

The fulfillment of the law is Christ himself, who does not so much lead us away from the letter as lift us up to its spirit. For the law’s consummation was this, that the very lawgiver accomplished his work and changed letter into spirit, summing everything up in himself and, though subject to the law, living by grace. He subordinated the law, yet harmoniously united grace with it, not confusing the distinctive characteristics of the one with the other, but effecting the transition in a way most fitting for God. He changed whatever was burdensome, servile and oppressive not what is light and liberating, so that we should be enslaved no longer under the elemental spirits of the world, as the Apostle says, nor held fast as bondservants under the letter of the law.

This is the highest, all-embracing benefit that Christ has bestowed on us. This is the revelation of the mystery, this is the emptying out of the divine nature, the union of God and man, and the deification of the manhood that was assumed. This radiant and manifest coming of God to men most certainly needed a joyful prelude to introduce the great gift of salvation to us. The present festival, the birth of the Mother of God, is the prelude, while the final act is the fore- ordained union of the Word with flesh. Today the Virgin is born, tended and formed and prepared for her role as Mother of God, who is the universal King of the ages.

Justly, then, do we celebrate this mystery since it signifies for us a double grace. We are led toward the truth, and we are led away from our condition of slavery to the letter of the law. How can this be? Darkness yields before the coming of the light, and grace exchanges legalism for freedom. But midway between the two stands today’s mystery, at the frontier where types and symbols give way to reality, and the old is replaced by the new.

Therefore, let all creation sing and dance and unite to make worthy contribution to the celebration of this day. Let there be one common festival for saints in heaven and men on earth. Let everything, mundane things and those above, join in festive celebration. Today this created world is raised to the dignity of a holy place for him who made all things. The creature is newly prepared to be a divine dwelling place for the Creator. 



Because of GOD'S AWESOME WORKS IN JESUS CHRIST, the Blessed Virgin was indeed FILLED WITH HIS GRACE AND TRUTH, and she is inviting us to be perfectly united with her SON so that our lives, our family, our community and our society may also be filled with GOD AND GOD ALONE!

MARIAN DOGMAS: IN SACRED SCRIPTURE