4th Sunday In Advent
19 December 2010
First reading Isaiah 7:10-14 The Lord spoke to Ahaz and said, ‘Ask the Lord your God for a sign for yourself coming either from the depths of Sheol or from the heights above.’ ‘No,’ Ahaz answered ‘I will not put the Lord to the test.’
Then Isaiah said:
‘Listen now, House of David:
are you not satisfied with trying the patience of men
without trying the patience of my God, too?
The Lord himself, therefore,
will give you a sign.
It is this: the maiden is with child
and will soon give birth to a son
whom she will call Immanuel,
a name which means “God-is-with-us.”’
Psalm 23:1-6
Second reading Romans 1:1-7
From Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus who has been called to be an apostle, and specially chosen to preach the Good News that God promised long ago through his prophets in the scriptures.
This news is about the Son of God who, according to the human nature he took was a descendant of David: it is about Jesus Christ our Lord who, in the order of the spirit, the spirit of holiness that was in him, was proclaimed Son of God in all his power through his resurrection from the dead. Through him we received grace and our apostolic mission to preach the obedience of faith to all pagan nations in honour of his name. You are one of these nations, and by his call belong to Jesus Christ. To you all, then, who are God’s beloved in Rome, called to be saints, may God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ send grace and peace.
Gospel Matthew 1:18-24
This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ Now all this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him Emmanuel,
a name which means ‘God-is-with-us.’ When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home.
Reflection
By Pietro S. Albano
During my early teens I had a dream of talking with the late Cardinal Jaime Sin, former Archbishop of Manila. When I woke up and told my aunt about it, she only dismissed it. A few years later, during a convention of our religious organization, I was assigned together with other youth members to arrange the stage right after the Mass presided by Cardinal Sin. As my colleagues and I approached the stage, we were surprised to see the Cardinal still there. One by one we approached him to kiss his ring. When it was my turn, I introduced myself as the grandson of Dr. Paulino Albano whom he knew very well. "Oh yeah?" was his only reply with a smile on his face, but for me it was a moment I never thought would have happened. A dream has come true!
In the last leg of our preparation for Christmas, we are presented with a great dreamer: Joseph of Nazareth. A few nights ago, we watched "The Nativity Story" on DVD. It was a movie produced in 2006 which, as the title suggests, tells the story of Christ's birth. Joseph was portrayed as an industrious young carpenter who had feelings for Mary although this was not reciprocated at once by his beloved. He came to Joachim (Mary's father) when the latter did not have enough money to pay taxes which resulted in Joachim's donkey to be confiscated as a collateral. Joseph and Mary were later engaged. However, something happened which almost destroyed the future of this two people. Mary, as what we are told in the Gospel, conceived a child but not of Joseph's. Yet we witnessed how a dream made a U-turn!
Some commentaries stated that although the angel quoted Sacred Scriptures in the dream, the devil may have disguised himself to trick Joseph. But why did Joseph believe? Some said that is because he was a "son of David". He was aware that this Saviour would be born in the "house of David" to which he belonged.
Like Mary, Joseph was one of those who longed for the Coming Messiah. Perhaps this longing may have subconsciously worked its way into Joseph's dream. To obey the angel's instructions in the dream would then be his way of welcoming the Messiah into his family. Hence, Jesus would become known too as the "Son of David".
By his obedience, Joseph the dreamer of salvation became a mover in that salvation. His faithful obedience made that dream come true! Indeed, throughout that movie that we watched, Joseph truly conducted himself as a mature and responsible husband and father, a hero if you like for those in need: the Virgin and the Child in her womb.
We may not be as blessed as Joseph, but we too are called to make that salvation take place in our midst. During the first Christmas, Jesus came to offer Himself on the cross so that you and me would regain our place in heaven. Thus, by baptism we became children of God! As such, we are now called to be the new Josephs who will make dreams into realities. This coming Christmas, there are many out there who dream of a decent meal or dress or any other gift. They may perhaps only wish for someone to be with them this season. Reach out to them!
And if, at times you are hesitant to do so lest others would ridicule you, think of this mantra which I took from what the angel said:
(Your name), son/daughter of God, do not be afraid!
Prayer
Lord, You chose St Joseph to be the father of Your only Son on earth. By his prayers and examples may we take courage in Your promises and plans for us and cooperate in Your works as we prepare ourselves for the Saviour's Birth. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Next week on God-speak
No One Left Out
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