From Samson's Fall to Christmas Hope
- Randolf Flores
- Dec 18, 2024
- 5 min read
Dec 19 Simbang Gabi
First Reading: Judges 13:2-7,24-25a
Gospel: Luke 1:5-25
By Fr. Randy Flores, SVD
A Few Good Men” and the Quest for Righteousness
The 1992 film A Few Good Men, based on a Broadway play by Aaron Sorkin, follows military lawyers as they uncover a high-level conspiracy within the United States Marines. Despite overwhelming odds, they pursue truth and justice, embodying the quest for righteousness in a morally complex world.
A Good Person Is Hard to Find
This quest for moral integrity resonates with today’s first reading from the Book of Judges, which illustrates Israel’s search for righteous leaders. The judges, though primarily military leaders, were tasked with defending Israel in times of crisis. However, the story of Judges presents the sad reality that good leaders were few and far between.
The Book of Judges unfolds in a cyclical pattern of apostasy (turning to other gods), punishment (oppression by foreign nations), repentance, and rescue—only for the cycle to begin anew. Every time Israel fell into infidelity, the call for a righteous leader was renewed. However, good leaders were rare. Of the judges, only Othniel, the first judge, and Deborah, the sole female judge, are depicted without flaws in their character or commitment. The others falter: Ehud is a trickster, Gideon a coward, Jephthah sacrifices his daughter, and Samson is a tragic, impulsive figure.
As the book progresses, the moral state of Israel worsens. The final chapters spiral into chaos—idolatry, rape, and near-genocide—culminating in anarchy within the Promised Land. Indeed, the book of Judges paints a sobering picture: a good person is increasingly difficult to find.
Despite the challenges, the people of Israel were never abandoned. Although many judges faltered the very cycle of failure points to a greater hope: God’s continuous mercy and His raising up of new leaders to restore the people. This cyclical nature hints at an underlying hope that despite human failure, God’s faithfulness never wavers, and His plan for redemption remains intact.
The Annunciation Type-Scene
Today’s first reading narrates the miraculous birth of Samson, the last judge (Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a). The liturgy parallels this with the annunciation of John the Baptist’s birth, as recounted in Luke 1:5-25. Both narratives belong to a biblical pattern known as an "annunciation type-scene," marked by three elements: the wife’s initial barrenness, a divine promise of conception, and the eventual birth of a son.
This structure is found in the stories of Isaac (Genesis 18:1-16), Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25:20-26), and Samuel (1 Samuel 1). Biblical scholar Raymond Brown, in The Birth of the Messiah, notes that Luke intentionally draws parallels between the births of Samuel and John. Both involve priestly fathers (Elkanah and Zechariah) and barren mothers (Hannah and Elizabeth). Both sons are dedicated to God’s service, and their names—“Hannah” and “John” (from Yohanan)—stem from the Hebrew root ḥen, meaning “grace” or “favor.”
In the midst of a troubled Israel, the announcement of Samson’s birth signals hope—a reminder that God still has a plan for His people. Similarly, John the Baptist’s birth foretells a new chapter of salvation, one that will find its fulfillment in Christ. These births are not merely the arrival of significant individuals but are signs that God's covenant with His people is alive, offering hope in the midst of darkness.
Samson and John the Baptist: Parallels and Contrasts
Samson and John the Baptist are parallel figures in many ways. Both are born under extraordinary circumstances and bound by the Nazirite vow, which includes abstinence from intoxicating drinks, avoiding corpses, and refraining from cutting one’s hair (Numbers 6:1-21). They also share tragic ends—Samson dies destroying the Philistine temple, while John is beheaded at Herod’s command.
Yet, the two figures are best understood in contrast. Samson, whose name means “sun,” burns himself out with impulsive and reckless behavior. Though physically strong, he repeatedly breaks his Nazirite vow: he eats honey from a lion’s carcass (Judges 14:9), pursues forbidden relationships with Philistine women, and lashes out in destructive rage. His tumultuous relationship with Delilah, which ends in betrayal and tragedy, has become a cultural archetype of love and treachery (cf. Tom Jones' "Delilah").
In contrast, John the Baptist exemplifies steadfast righteousness. Luke portrays him as a “just man,” a prophet who prepares the way for the Lord. Even the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus describes John as a virtuous figure. While Samson succumbs to his passions, John remains faithful to his mission, calling people to repentance and pointing them toward Christ.
Samson is a tragic figure, but his story also underscores the need for God’s continuing grace. Despite his failings, Samson’s final act of destruction against the Philistines in the temple represents a moment of redemption, reminding us that even in failure, there is the possibility of hope and redemption through God.
John the Baptist, on the other hand, exemplifies the steadfast pursuit of righteousness. He remains true to his calling, preparing the way for the Lord with unwavering faithfulness. His life is a beacon of hope, showing that despite the failings of many, there are still those who live in faithful service to God. John’s ultimate sacrifice—his martyrdom—echoes the greater hope of the resurrection and eternal life, a message that continues to inspire Christians today.
From the Crib to the Cross
John’s role as the forerunner of Jesus links the story of his birth with the promise of hope that unfolds throughout the Gospels. Just as John prepared the way for Christ’s ministry, his own death foreshadows Christ’s own sacrifice. Both figures meet violent ends—John by beheading, Jesus by crucifixion. But in this shared suffering lies the ultimate hope: through the Cross, God’s love conquers death, and through Christ’s resurrection, the hope of eternal life is secured.
The joy of Christmas, symbolized by the birth of Christ, is inseparable from the reality of the Cross. This paradox—the joy of the crib pointing toward the suffering of the Cross—is the foundation of Christian hope. The Acts of the Apostles, Luke’s second volume, continues this theme of hope in the face of suffering, seen in the martyrdom of Stephen, celebrated on the day after Christmas. In this way, the birth of Christ and the call to discipleship are always intertwined with the hope that, through suffering, the ultimate victory will be won.
As we enter the Christmas season, let us take inspiration from John the Baptist, whose life and ministry provide a model for living with hope in the midst of a broken world. His call to repentance and justice remains a challenge for all of us:
“Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise... Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you... Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation…” (Luke 3:10-14).
In a world where goodness is often hard to find, may we, like John, be instruments of hope, preparing the way for the Lord and living out His call to justice, mercy, and love. —and avoiding the tragic pitfalls of Samson’s passions.
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