December 22, 2013

4th Sunday of Advent

First Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14

   The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying: "Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven." But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test." Then Isaiah said: "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel."

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Responsorial Psalm: 24:1-2,3-4,5-6
Response: Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.
   The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it. For he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. (Response)
   Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD? or who may stand in his holy place? One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain. (Response)
   He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, a reward from God his savior. Such is the race that seeks for him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob. (Response)

Second Reading: Romans 1:1-7

   Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for 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 was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, To all God's beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 1:18-24

   This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "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 in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means "God is with us." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

Reflection: Fr. James Theophilus

   Betrothal was as good as marriage for Jewish people. Betrothal was the legal side of the marriage and in fact it was the covenant. And there was no turning back from this covenant. Betrothal was binding them until death. Joseph felt so delicate because of the legal side of the situation. Mary would be considered a woman in adultery and thus condemned to death by stoning.
   "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home" (Matt 1:20). Joseph receives a revelation from God. The revelation brings out the mystery behind the birth of Jesus and also the direction for him to go about. Revelations often give the divine plan and also the direction for the human cooperation. A believer accepts to cooperate whereas a non- believer goes on to doubt and question the revelation. Joseph followed the directions and thus confirmed his faith.