Infancy Narratives Matthew 1 – 2; Luke 1 - 2

St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians 4:4 - 5 “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.”

Beyond Chosen We are not only God’s chosen people, but we are adopted as sons and daughters.

The Gospel Portraits of Christ’s Origins Jesus’ birth, Life, Death, and Resurrection fulfilled the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament and achieved our salvation. Taken together, the four Gospels paint the most complete picture of the saving deeds of Jesus, beginning with his birth and culminating in his Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

Both drawing upon Mark and the “Q” source, Matthew and Luke begin their Gospels with infancy narratives. Numerous similarities in their accounts: – use of infancy narratives to highlight Jesus’ identity – angel foretold Jesus’ birth – Jesus conceived by the action of the Holy Spirit. Thus, he is the Son of God. – Jesus born of the Virgin Mary, as was prophesized – his foster father, Joseph, a descendent of David, making Jesus a true Son of David – Jesus born in Bethlehem, as prophesized in Micah 5:1

Matthew’s Gospel From Fr. Raymond Brown The Traditional Matthew: – tax collector – wrote either the gospel or a collection of Christ sayings in Aramaic – maybe something Matthew wrote ended up in the Gospel of Matthew Matthew as detected from contents: – Greek-speaker, – knew Aramaic or Hebrew or both – was not an eyewitness of Jesus’ ministry, – drew on Mark and Q source and other available traditions – probably a Jewish Christian Written between 80 – 90, give or take a decade in the Antioch region Likely written by one author with no sizable additions to what he wrote

The Gospel of Matthew Differences in Matthew and Luke’s infancy narratives reflect their respective audiences. Matthew, writing for a Jewish audience, chiefly concerned to show how Jesus fulfilled God’s promises to the Jews. Q: In chapter one, how does Matthew focus on his Jewish audience?

The opening genealogy of Matthew’s Gospel (Mt 1:1-17) links Jesus’ ancestry to Abraham, the Father of the Jews, and to King David. Matthew shows how Jesus’ birth (Mt 1:18-25) fulfills Old Testament prophecies, God’s promise to King David, and links Jesus’ foster father Joseph to the Joseph of the Old Testament.

The visit of the Magi (Mt 2:1- 12) represents the Lord’s willingness to accept Gentiles among those who worship him. Jesus’ flight into Egypt and the Massacre of the Infants (Mt 2:13-18) recalls Moses’ escape from Pharaoh, portraying Jesus as the new Lawgiver. Jesus’ return to Nazareth (Mt 2:19-23) recalls the exodus and presents Jesus as the definitive liberator of God’s people.

The Gospel of Luke From Fr. Raymond Brown Traditional Luke: – Physician – Fellow worker and traveling companion of St. Paul – Possible but not likely: a Syrian from Antioch Luke as Detected from Contents: – Greek speaker – Skilled writer – Knew the Jewish scriptures in Greek and not an eyewitness of Jesus – Drew on Mark and Q – Probably not raised a Jew but perhaps became a Jew before converting to Christianity – Not a Palestinian Written 85, give or take five to ten years and intended for the churches affected by St. Paul’s mission.

The Gospel of Luke Written for Gentile Christians Key themes: – Jesus’ preaching to the lowly and outcast – Jesus’ journey toward Jerusalem, where our salvation was to be achieved

Luke’s infancy narrative: Announcement of John the Baptist’s Birth (Lk 1:5-25)—John portrayed as a New Elijah, announcing the coming of the promised Messiah Announcement of the Birth of Jesus (Lk 1:26-38)—referred to as the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel told Mary she would conceive the Son of the Most High by the Holy Spirit, which she humbly accepted

Mary Visits Elizabeth (Lk 1:39-56)—Elizabeth acknowledges Mary as the mother of God – Mary responds with the canticle known as the Magnificat Birth of John the Baptist (Lk 1:57-80)—John’s father Zechariah offers a prayer known as the “Benedictus” – praises God for remembering the promises he made to David – recognizes the prophetic role of his son Birth of Jesus (Lk 2:1-20)—Jesus is born in the birthplace of David yet in humble circumstance and surrounded by humble people like shepherds – conveys Luke’s theme of Jesus’ mission to the lowly and outcast

Jesus’ Circumcision and Presentation in the Temple (Lk 2:21- 38)—at this event the prophets Simeon and Anna recognized Jesus’ as the expected Messiah Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Lk 2:39-52)— teaching of the 12-year old astounded the teachers – prefigured when Jesus would return to the Temple as an adult and confound the learned scribes and rabbis