“SEEDS OF LIFE”
Sunday, 18th December 2016.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 7:10-14;
Psalm 23:1-6;
Romans 1:1-7;
Matthew 1:18-24.
GOD WITH US!
Children are an invaluable gift of marriage. The moment they enter into the world of parents, their relationship changes substantially. Children generally demand a lot of attention, interrupting their parent’s normal routine. You and I have our own world, wishes, plans and desire that these be not disturbed or interrupted. To have one’s world turned upside down by a child can be quite a disruption.
We are today in the 4th Sunday of Advent, contemplating the mystery of the Incarnation that we celebrate at Christmas. One way to prepare our hearts and more fully experience Jesus’ coming is through deepening and growing in our relationship with God through his word.
Today’s readings present a disruption coming from God into the world, in the lives of Ahaz, Mary, Joseph and Paul. In the first reading, God enters into the life of Ahaz and tells him to ask for a sign of the Lord, any sign he wants. Ahaz says no. This is very noteworthy. According to the tradition and law, God is not to be put to the test. However, it is God who himself asks Ahaz to test Him, but Ahaz firmly says No to God’s word and Yes to law and traditions. Ahaz hears what God says, but decides not to respond to God. Thus there is no relationship established between them and he ignores to change even after God intervenes in his life.
Like in the case of Ahaz, in the Gospel we see God intervenes in the life of Joseph and Mary. God asks Joseph to do something contrary to law and tradition, by asking him to marry Mary even though she was pregnant. Joseph however does not like Ahaz, He says Yes to God’s word and No to law and traditions. He receives God’s word, does what God willed, even if it seems unwise. Thus, He listens to God, he responds to God, and specifically does what God asks of him. This was love and faith in action, not caring what the rest of the community would think of his actions. The Word of God interrupted his life, yet he participated in the mystery of the incarnation by being the husband of Mary.
Though our Blessed Mother was perfect, and St. Joseph was a deeply virtuous man, they were both still fully human and would have walked through Mary’s pregnancy and Jesus’ birth with every human emotion and experience. St. Joseph was faced with an extraordinary mystery as he discovered his wife was pregnant. He knew her to be a woman of exceptional virtue and holiness and had to reconcile that with her surprising pregnancy. Even after the angel appeared to him in a dream he would have had questions arise in his mind as he faced this situation. Our Blessed Mother was also invited by God to face her pregnancy in faith. Her response was perfect, “Let it be done to me according to your word.” She could not explain nor understand what was happening but, nonetheless, she knew deep in her soul that God was in charge leading all to His glory. Both Mary and Joseph are wonderful models of faith and obedience. They were obedient to the will of God despite the fact that the will of God drew them into an incredible and unfathomable mystery. They were first-hand witnesses to the salvation of the world and to the greatest act ever known. And they both embraced this mystery and accepted it in faith.
St. Paul in the letter to Romans, sums up the good news by telling them that Christ is a descendent of David and the Son of God. He continues that Jesus brought us new life and through this grace which is transforming love, we are brought into this new life and thus into relationship with God.
The Lord has come into history, the Lord is here in the mystery of the sacrament, and the Lord is coming again majesty. In this immediate preparation for the birth of our Lord we probe into the meaning of him who is God’s gift to us. The Messiah would enter into the world as a child. This child bombards into our lives too, so as to enter into relationship with us. We however need to open our lives to receive him and be transformed. We must open the doors of our hearts and let God come in. To do this, we have to listen and respond to what God says, even if it is different from what tradition advocates. By listening to and responding to God, we are initiated into new life by displaying our faith by its observance. And thus we are able to be open to God’s transforming love in our heart.
Let us reflect upon our own invitations from God to embrace the mysteries of life. God’s ways are often more than we can comprehend and figure out. Mary and Joseph give us the witness of how we are to handle every mystery God invites us to participate in. Say yes to the will of God just as this holy couple did. As Isaiah and Matthew tell us this God is Immanuel which means God with us. He is indeed in our midst. God is very close to us and every step we take, every moment we live and every place we are God is with us. As we listen and respond to God, He is with us encouraging us and guiding us. He is there with us when everyone distances us, He is there to open our hearts to soothe us and hold us when we are oppressed, and forgive us when we sin.
Prayer: Dearest Saint Joseph and Mother Mary, pray for me that I may have the faith you both lived. When questions arise in my heart, help me to respond generously to God as you did. May I trust in all that God has spoken in imitation of each one of you. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen
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