First Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14 / Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 24:1-2.3-4ab.5-6 (R.cf. 7c.10c) Second Reading: Romans 1:1-7/Gospel Acclamation: Matthew 1:23/Gospel: Matthew 1:18-24
Theme: JESUS, “THE GOD WITH US”
From the first Sunday of Advent to the 16th of December, our liturgical readings focussed on the Parousia, the Second coming of Christ at the end of the age. From the 17th to 24th December, our readings cast their gaze on his first coming in flesh and blood at Christmas. In this vein, today’s readings draw our attention to some details surrounding Christ’s birth. We are encouraged to see these details with the eye of faith and love so as to offer him a befitting welcome at Christmas.
In the first reading, about 700 years before Christ, Isaiah prophesies about his virgin birth. Isaiah’s prophecy is set in the context of the difficult circumstances faced by Israel under the threat of his neighbours. God sends a message to King Ahaz not to continue to trust in human agency, but to put his faith in him and to ask God for a sign. The discourse goes thus: “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven” (Is. 7:11). Ahaz, perhaps, bogged down with trepidation and doubts, hesitates saying: “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test” (Is. 7:12). To this end, Isaiah speaks prophetically saying: “Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Is. 7:14). This prophecy finds fulfilment in the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus.
As the almighty God who has power to make impossibilities possibilities, the Psalmist reiterates: “The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness, the world, and all who dwell in it” (Ps. 24:1). Yet, King Ahaz in the first reading, did not want to register his faith in God, perhaps, because of fears and doubts. This notwithstanding, God uses that circumstance to fulfil his promise to Israel. Even when weighed down by problems, if we can still trust in the Lord, this promise will be ours too: “Blessings from the Lord shall he receive, and right reward from the God who saves him. Such are the people who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob” (Ps. 24:5-6).
Consequently, the prophecy of Isaiah comes to fulfilment in today’s Gospel. Among the Synoptic gospel writers, only Matthew goes a step further to give a vivid account of how the angel of God addressed Joseph in a dream concerning his betrothed wife, Mary. We read thus: “…Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit” (Mt. 1:19-20). And then comes this revelation: “…She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins’ (Mt. 1:21). Matthew then makes reference to Isaiah’s prophecy saying: “All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Immanuel’ (which means, God with us)’ (Mt. 1:22-23). Surely, whatever God promises, he fulfils and we are note the two names revealed: Jesus saves and Immanuel: God-with-us!
St. Paul in the second reading, believes in the power of prophecy and agrees with St. Matthew. Therefore, he lends his voice to the latter’s, in affirming the prophecy concerning the virgin birth of Jesus. He writes to the Church in Rome thus: “…the Gospel of God which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and designated Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness…” (Rom. 1:2-4). St. Paul affirms the Incarnation of Christ, God become man. God is not ashamed to make his dwelling among men, to be their God and they, his people (cf. Rev. 21:3, Jn. 1:14). This is the privilege we have as believers, that God identifies with us! The Son of God becomes the Son of Man, that sons of men may become sons of God!
At this juncture, let us take some moments to analyse the Jewish marriage procedure in order to import some information which can help us understand the relationship between Joseph and Mary. The first step is engagement which is arranged by parents or a professional match-maker, and the would-be couple are not involved since they are only children. The second stage is betrothal which ratifies the engagement. This is where we find Mary and Joseph. Growing up, if the girl is unwilling to enter into this relationship, the engagement can be broken. Yet, once the betrothal is entered into, it is absolutely binding, and it lasts for one year. During this year, the couple are known as man and wife, although they have not the rights of man and wife, and the betrothal cannot be terminated in any other way than by divorce. This is what Joseph tries to do, because, Mary is legally known as his wife. Also, a girl whose fiancé dies during the year of betrothal is called “a virgin who is a widow”. Mary belongs to this group; she is a virgin but not a widow, since she is just betrothed and Joseph is not dead. At the end of the betrothal year, the marriage proper is done (third stage). So, Jesus’ birth is a virgin birth at the instance of the Holy Spirit. This is God’s own purposeful plan, the work of the Holy Spirit which calls for faith, obedience and reverence!
There is a lesson we can learn from Joseph and Mary. All of us can find ourselves in their shoes. We may be uncomfortable and uncooperative with God when this happens to us, but we need to understand that when God wants to bless us, he can interrupt our own personal plans. Nonetheless, we must be ready for divine interruption if we want to see God’s glory. Docility to the Spirit of God allows us to be used by God for our own good, since God knows better than us. That was the special plan of God for Joseph and Mary. God has a plan for us too; for everyone! No one’s life is purposeless. God has brought us into the world to do some definite thing with, through and for us. Let go the self and let God! Let go the human will and let the divine will have control! It is time now. Never postpone. Let us allow Jesus into our lives, for he is the reason for the season!
Furthermore, St. Matthew is emphasising a point in today’s Gospel which we, as the dearly beloved of God, should not miss, and that is, in Jesus’ birth, the Spirit of God is operative as never before in this world. Jesus, Emmanuel, the God-with-us, comes to save us from sin (Mt. 1:21). The name Jesus is the Greek form of the Jewish name “Joshua” which means “Jehovah is salvation.” Jesus is the one for whom we have been preparing since the beginning of Advent. Conceived and born of the Holy Spirit, Jesus fills us with the same Spirit, and his purpose is to save us. The Spirit enables us to recognize the truth when we see it. It is the Spirit who alone can re-create our lives ravaged by sin, shattered by evil, tattered by weakness and scattered by existential problems. Jesus is the one who can fix us again. He is the one who can heal our brokenness and restore us on the path of eternal life. He is here with us. For a moment, let us think about giving Jesus the chance to enter into our lives so as to give us the peace, joy, progress and fulfilment which have been a mirage all our lives. Happy Sunday! May God bless us! Remember: #Jesus-The-God-With-Us#
