FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT
Seeing Ourselves in Mary, and Joseph
Fr. Udoekpo, Michael Ufok
v Isa 7:10-14;
v Ps 24:1-6;
v Rom 1:1-7
v Matt 1:18-24
Today we
celebrate the last Sunday in Advent. It is the Sunday before Christmas. And all
that we are asking for—wherever we are (in Africa, Europe USA, etc…), is the
grace to prepare well in peace and joy for the forth coming Christmas. We also
pray for the grace to hope and believe all that has been foretold by ancient
Israel’s prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zephaniah, Balaam, John the Baptist) -
preached by Paul in his ministries. We are also want to take to heart the
messages of the angels, particularly Gabriel, which we heard repeatedly during
this season of Advent these past four weeks of Advent, particularly today- that
we Joseph should not be afraid to take Mary, his wife home! Mary and Joseph’
faith must inspire us to be more hopeful more trusting not only in the biblical
mystery of the incarnation of God, but that this God accompanies us on our
journeys!
In the first
reading and within the context of the
eighth century’s economic and socio- political upheavals of great fear, war,
and threats of exile, of losing the homeland, to the Assyrian military power,
Isaiah, the prophet, prophesied that Israel remain calm. Israel should not be
afraid. Israel should be hopeful, for, “behold a virgin shall conceived
and give birth to a child, whose name shall be called Immanuel, meaning God is
with us” (Isa 7:14).
Isaiah’s
prophecy against fear and despair lives on forever. The reason is that fear and
hope transcends time. It transcends the old Israel. As the new and renewed
Israel, we do have our fears and hope, fears of war and hope for peace, fears
of scarcity of food, jobs, and for hope for economic opportunities and
prosperity, fears of political instability and hope for political security.
Fears of unsteady leadership and hope for every nation’s capital free of
corruption and nepotism.
Isaiah’s
prophecy which lives on, cuts through the time of David and is fulfilled in our
times, as noted by Paul in the 2nd reading and narrated particularly
in today’s Gospel of Matthew’s genealogy. A young Jewish woman, Mary was
betrothed to Joseph. Suddenly, and before the marriage was consummated she was
found with a mysterious pregnancy. It was the work of the Holy Spirit (Luke
1:38). With God everything is possible. With us human, most things are
skeptical!
Joseph is God’s
instrument. Mary is God’s instrument, the handmaid of the Lord! God can use any
of us to speak to our neighbors, to address our needs, though it comes with
challenges. In the case of Joseph and Mary it was mockery, humiliation and
threats of dead for how can Mary’s story and experience with the Angel Gabriel
be true!
But Mary
believed- and said to Gabriel, be it done to me according to your words (Luke
1:38). Joseph also believed what
he heard in the dream,, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take
Mary your wife into your home; For it is through the Holy Spirit that this
child has been conceived,” (Matt 1:18-24).
What a story
that challenges us believers, not to cease to trust in God. Not to fail to tell
our stories of faith, share our experience love and practice peace and
reconciliation. Joseph teaches us not to be afraid of the future and of the
unknown. Not to give in to gossip. Not to cease to hope. Not to cease to be
patient with ourselves, with our children, with our subjects, with our superiors,
even with our government and political leaders. The biblical Joseph was not in
a hurry to divorce Mary. This, among other virtues earns him the title, Joseph,
the Just. Joseph, the prayerful man, the saddiq, the prudent man.
Like Abraham, Joseph, the man of faith, the hard worker, and the
peace maker! And Mary the handmaid of the Lord!
As we
prepare for Christmas we pray that the grace of God be poured into our hearts,
homes, church communities (barracks), into our society and nations so that we may
continue to be more hopeful and more appreciative of the mysteries of God,
listening to his voice, embracing and recognizing his divine presence in our
midst as we daily strive in our daily challenges, to imitates the likes of Mary
and Joseph.
Reflection
Questions:
1.
As Christmas approaches what are our fears, uncertainties
and challenges
2.
How do manage or assist your neighbor to deal with fears
or mysterious circumstances of their lives?
3.
How do you see yourself in Mary and in Joseph’s story?
