CommentaryLuke was writing history as it was written in the first century A.D. Today we are careful to distinguish the historian from the dramatist. We expect the historian to be imaginative in arranging his material, but to present the 'facts' simply. In Luke's day history, as the word implies, was basically the telling of 'stories'; stories based on real events, but stories told with all the verve and imagination the historian could muster to communicate, in the richest way he could, the inner meaning of the events. A good historian was one who could write an interesting story that captured the attention of his readers. Of course, he was not permitted to distort events: he was not a writer of fiction. But, so long as he was faithful to the facts as understood by those who observed them, he was allowed asmuch imaginative play as he wanted. When we say that Luke was a first century historian who wrote about Jesus, we are saying that the community who knew Jesus accepted what Luke wrote as having grasped the meaning of Jesus accurately, and as having communicated it through attractive and imaginative stories that expressed this meaning in a rich way. (The Gospels, Michael Fallon M.S.C.) Luke in 2:19, says that Mary did not understand immediately, but listened willingly, letting the events sink into her memory and trying to work out their meaning. Aninterpretation for this verse is helped when we see that her reaction is a part of a series of reactions (2:17-20):
These reactions are similar to the parable of the Sower (Luke 8:11-15). The seed in this parable is the word of God. Luke is painting a portrait of Mary as the true disciple. He is not interested in eye witnesses' accounts or even of Mary's memories but, he is interested in her as a model Christian. Mary's inner reaction is one of humility, acceptance, openness and obedience. Luke makes her a believer. and tells us significant ideas about his view of Mary than about actual historical details. The name of Jesus is given at the Circumcision, eight days after the birth. The circumcision of Jesus indicates he is formally stamped as a member of God's chosen people, through whom would salvation is to be achieved. Luke mentions Mary because she is the only adult in his infancy narrative who will last into the public, ministry and even into the Church. In the Gospel (8:21) she will appear with the followers of Jesus among those who hear the word of God and do it. And in Acts (l:14) she will again appear with the followers of Jesus as part of the believing community awaiting Pentecost. Thus, Luke knows that Mary must have sought to interpret these events surrounding the birth of Jesus and finally succeeded, for she became a model Christian believer. Luke is interested in symbolism when he refers to the 'manger”. The manger is not a sign of poverty but is possibly meant to signal God's complaint against Israel (the Chosen People) in Isaiah 1:2. Luke is announcing that what Isaiah once said has been reversed. Now the shepherds go to the baby in the manger and begin to praise God. In other words, God's people have begun to know the manger of their Lord through Mary |
Home |
