Pastor's Letter 20231224 - 24 December 2024 - Fourth Sunday of Advent

Father Michael · December 23, 2023

December 24th, 2023

Fourth Sunday of Advent

A Message from Father ^†Michael

Today’s Theme: “Jesus Christ will Reign Forever”

Reflections on Today’s Scripture

(2 Samuel 7:1-16) In ancient times, our ancestors in faith were led by the power of God in the desert. Later, they thought they might meet their God in a temple of cedar and juniper. David wanted to build a house for God, but instead, God promised to build an everlasting dynasty for him.

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(Romans 16:25-27) Only when a creative and caring God came near, in human flesh, and spoke in time and space, did the language of our humanity—God’s plan of Salvation for Jews and Gentiles—come to fulfillment, in Christ.

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(Luke 1:26-38) God’s promise to David was fulfilled in Jesus. For this mystery of His mercy, and the intimacy of His love, praise Him!

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A Leap of Trust

I am often impressed with the loving care that is given to people in assisted-living residences by nurses and aids. They seem to go about their tasks, ministering to the aged in their charge, with “light hearts” and cheerful smiles—in spite of the reception they may be given, or the challenging conditions in which they find their residents. It seems, no matter the reaction they receive, they tend to their duties with patience and love.

Many times, we can’t appreciate the full meaning of what we do for someone. In fact, sometimes, the meaning is completely hidden from us. For “normal” people, it may become very difficult to “carry on,” especially when the task is disagreeable, or those for whom we do it are ungrateful. We observe this in the attitudes of people who provide care for their aging parents. They often become thoroughly exhausted by their efforts.

I today’s Gospel Reading, we hear how ^†Mary consented to become the mother of our Blessed Lord, Jesus. We can only be awe at what she heard the Angel Gabriel tell her: “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” Then came the “kicker” that most likely took her breath away: “And the Lord God will give Him the throne of David, His father, and He will rule over the house of Jacob, forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” (David’s line had been effectively “broken” in 587 B.C., with the Babylonian captivity.)

Notwithstanding, we are told that she said “yes”—giving her “fiat”—to God. In that instant, ^†Mary became the Mother of God! She fulfilled the prophecy made in the Garden of Eden, that she would “crush the serpent’s head; she would conquer evil in the world.

There is hardly a chance that she realized the full implications of her assent. She could have had no idea that after His birth, every door would be closed in her face. Shortly thereafter, she even became a refugee in a foreign country. Then, after thirty-three years, she would see Him executed as a criminal.

^†Mary didn’t just give her “yes,” only once. She had to confirm it many times during her life. And consider this deeply theological concept: Without ^†Mary’s obedience to God, the world would not have received a Redeemer!

Each of us has said “yes,” when we have undertaken serious commitments and responsibilities. In doing so, we took a “leap of trust,” for we rarely can know the full implications of our mission. They became revealed to us, gradually, over time. So, we often have to confirm our original “yes,” not once, but many times. This may have necessitated calling upon the Holy Spirit, and/or our family and friends, for strength to help us remain faithful to our promises.

We consider it normal for children to routinely ask questions, and ^†Mary must have had many, as well. Having received the answers to those questions, ^†Mary, made the decision to let God…be God. Similarly, we also must “bow to the mystery.” Faith is not “blind,” and, by definition, it is beyond reason—but it is not against it.

May God Richly Bless You!

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