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The opening chapters of Luke’s Gospel describe several journeys and contain the account of the annunciation of Jesus’ forthcoming birth as well as the beautiful canticles or hymns, the Magnificat and the Benedictus. These gospel passages relive poetically the expectations of Israel from the Old Testament and invite us to do the same.
This course is intended as an aid to participants’ preparation for the celebration of Advent and Christmas. Participants are encouraged to read the text and material will be provided(audio recordings, readings and questions) to help reflect on its meaning and significance.
Week 1 - The Annunciation to Zechariah (Luke 1:5-25)
In the opening section of the Infancy Narrative we meet some of the themes that will recur throughout Luke’s Gospel: Jerusalem and the Temple; the grouping of the whole people; the importance and efficacy of prayer; God’s reversing human expectations and perceptions; the importance of women; thepresence of the Spirit; joy, prophecy and fulfilment. But above all, it is clear that God is the central actor. Everything stems from God’s free, faithful and compassionate love.
Week 2: The Annunciation to Mary (Luke 1:26-38)
The annunciation of the angel Gabriel to Zechariah is followed immediately and in parallel by the annunciation to Mary, a scriptural passage with which we are all very familiar, a scene famously and imaginatively depicted in art and music. The narrative follows very closely the basic literary pattern for biblical annunciations of birth.
Week 3: The Visitation (Luke 1:39-45)
The next scene in Luke’s Infancy Narrative brings together the two women who have featured in the annunciation diptych; their two parallel stories are now intertwined within the single story of God’s redemption. This episode consists of two parts: the visit of Mary to Elizabeth, and then her Magnificat canticle, and her departure. The Advent liturgy separates them for our reflection. We will look at the Magnificat in the next session.
Week 4: The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-56)
This session picks up Mary’s response to Elizabeth’s words of blessing, as she breaks into a hymn of praise, a hymn immortalised in the evening prayer of the Church. This creates a lull in the narrative movement which enables Luke to highlight the significance of what has taken place so far.
Week 5: Birth and Naming of John the Baptist – The Benedictus (Luke 1:57-80)
After the diptych of the two annunciation stories, Luke presents us with another diptych in the stories of the birth and naming of John and then of Jesus. The latter passage does not form part of our Advent readings, which are the liturgical preparation for Christmas. Our Advent journey concludes with the birth and naming of John, and then with the Benedictus hymn proclaimed by Zechariah.
Read Luke 1:5-25
Luke’s Picture Gallery
Raymond E. Brown, “The Origin and Purpose of the Infancy Narratives” in A Coming Christ in Advent, The Liturgical Press, Collegeville Minnesota, 1988, pp.7-15.
Peter Edmonds SJ, Rediscover Jesus, Kevin Mayhew, Boxhall, Stowmarket, 2007, pp.32-42.
John Moffatt SJ, “Jesus: Who DoYou Think You Are? 5: Zechariah, Elizabeth and John” in Thinking Faith: The Online Journal of the Jesuits in Britain, (22 December 2014)
www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/jesus-who-do-you-think-you-are-5-zechariah-elizabeth-and-john
Brendan Byrne SJ, “The Infancy Stories I: Before the Birth of Jesus: Lk 1:5-80” in The Hospitality of God, The Liturgical Press, Collegeville Minnesota, rev. ed. 2015, pp.27-40.
Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI, “The Annunciation of the Birth of John the Baptist” in Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives, Bloomsbury, London, 2012, pp. 14-25.
1. Why did you choose to sign up for this course?
2. What do you hope to gain from your study of &reflection on the Infancy Narrative in Luke’s Gospel?
3. Zechariah is an old priest who has waited all his priestly life for his turn to offer sacrifice in the Temple. What was the most important day of your life?
4. Luke tells us that Zechariah & his wife Elizabeth both come from an impeccable background, but adds that “they had no child” & they were both “advanced in their days.” In what areas of your life do you need encouragement to keep on praying for something? Is there anything in this reading that could help you “to pray always & not lose heart” (Lk 18:1)?
5. Did you find anything unexpected, surprising or disturbing in this session? If so, explain what it was & why you found it that way.
Read Luke 1:26-38
Jack Mahoney SJ “God with Us” in Thinking Faith: The Online Journal of the Jesuits in Britain, (12 August 2009) www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/20090812_1.htm
Gerard J. Hughes SJ “Between doctrine and discipleship: reflections on the Annunciation” in Thinking Faith: The Online Journal of the Jesuits in Britain, (24 March 2017)
www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/between-doctrine-and-discipleship-reflections-annunciation
Raymond E. Brown, Responses to 101Questions on the Bible, Paulist Press, New York/Mahwah, 1990, pp.76-91.
Gideon Goosen & Margaret Tomlinson, “Infancy Narratives” in Contemporary Catholic Theology – A Reader, eds Michael A. Hayes & Liam Gearon, Gracewing, Leominster, 1998, pp.149-152.
Brian Purfield, Reflections on the Annunciation to Mary (Luke 1:26-38), London Jesuit Centre, October 2024.
"In the Kitchen" by Kilian McDonnell, O.S.B. a poem on the Annunciation to Mary
1. Has it ever seemed to you that God was inviting you to do something you felt ill-equipped for? How did you respond? What was the result?
2. Go through the story again & notice all the details –when, where, who? The angel Gabriel has already appeared in the Gospel of Luke. Where & what did he say & to whom?
3. What do you think the angel Gabriel means by his words to Mary: “favoured one!” & “The Lord is with you”?
4. Why do you think Mary was troubled?
5. What do you think it means to say that Mary has found favour with God?
6. How does God communicate with you? What do you think God is saying to you? What is your part in God’s plan? How can you co-operate more fully with God?
Read Luke 1:39-56
The Magnificat and Old Testament Texts
Joel B. Green, “Mary, Mary’s Song and terms of allegiance” in Discovering Luke: Content, Interpretation, Reception, SPCK London, 2021, pp. 192-204.
Peter Edmonds SJ “Four weeks to Christmas: people and places in the scriptures” in Thinking Faith: The Online Journal of the Jesuits in Britain, (26 November 2020).
www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/four-weeks-christmas-people-and-places-scriptures
1. How have I experienced God’s plans for my life to be different from my expectations? What have I learned from this?
2. How eager am I to hear & embrace the word of God? How is Mary a model for me?
3. What insights or lesson do I take away from Elizabeth’s encounter with Mary?
4. How have the psalms & other biblical prayers influenced the way I pray?
5. What has God been able to accomplish through my lowliness & emptiness?
6. When have I been aware of God showing mercy to me?
7. How can Mary’s prayer serve as a model for my prayers? Write your own Magnificat.
Introductory Reading
Read Luke 1:57-80
For those who wish to read further
Denis McBride, The Gospel of Luke: A Reflective Commentary, Dominican Publications, Dublin 1997, pp. 32-35.
Brian Purfield, Reflections on the Birth & Naming of John the Baptist, London Jesuit Centre, October 2024
Questions for Reflection
1. What elements in Luke’s account of the birth & naming of John has the greatest significance for me?
2. What was so special about the birth of John the Baptist?
3. What is the greatest mercy that God has shown me?
4. What has God done for my salvation? What is God doing right now?
5. How have I experienced God’s mercy & love?
6. Do I accept that God is profoundly moved by compassion for me?
7. Do I have a confident sense that God will work things out for me without my knowing how he will do so?
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Brian is a tutor in the theology stream. Originally from Birmingham, Brian studied philosophy and theology at the Gregorian University, Rome and later gained a Masters Degree in Franciscan Studies from St. Bonaventure’s University, New York. He has given retreats and courses throughout the UK and Ireland, North America, the Far East and Australia. He taught at the International Franciscan Study, Canterbury and at Campion House, Osterley before joining the Mount Street Jesuit Team when it began in 2004. Brian also taught at Heythrop College on the Foundation Degree in Pastoral Ministry. His particular interest is in opening up the Scriptures to people, young and old, at a level that they can understand and seek to apply to their daily lives. Brian is married to Deborah who works for CAFOD. They live in Buckinghamshire.
