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Word To Life
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Sunday Scripture Readings: Dec. 23, 2007
By Sharon K. Perkins
Catholic News Service
December 23, Fourth Sunday of Advent
Cycle A Readings:
1) Isaiah 7:10-14
Psalm 24:1-3, 4ab, 5-6
2) Romans 1:1-7
Gospel: Matthew 1:18-24
About 10 years ago I wrote a meditation on "obedience" in which I wondered what it would be like if I could do as dog owners do and send my children to obedience school, thereby outsourcing some of the challenging work of parenting. At the time I had lots of food for my musings -- my children were 3, 8 and 12, and as I recall they were all testing parental boundaries in their own unique ways.
Many times I felt that if they just paid attention and listened more closely, they could understand why my instructions were so important for their wellbeing. Of course, the whole point of the reflection was that when it came to obeying God, I probably didn't do much better than they.
The root of the word "obey" is the Latin word for "paying attention" or "listening." Fast forward 10 years: The Scriptures for this Sunday are "still" about obedience, and I am "still" pushing the limits and wearying God, much like Ahaz is doing in the Isaiah reading when he refuses to ask the Lord for a sign.
Ahaz isn't obeying because he just doesn't "get it," which means he isn't really listening to God but is hiding behind his own misguided piety.
In the Gospel, Joseph doesn't "get it" either, at least not at first. He already has decided, with the best of intentions, to quietly divorce his pregnant fianc,e. Thankfully, he takes a nap which suspends his own thoughts and plans, giving God enough access to communicate an alternate and more marvelous way. It's to Joseph's credit and our eternal benefit that when he awakened, he not only "got it," he "did as the Lord commanded and took Mary into his home."
St. Paul tells us that the "obedience of faith" -- our ability not only to "get it" but to act on what we've heard -- is brought about by "grace," which is simply God's unobstructed presence accomplishing God's purpose in our lives.
Advent is a time to suspend our own agendas, "pay attention," and surrender ourselves to that grace, no matter how many years it takes for the message to sink in!
QUESTIONS:
In what ways have you "wearied the Lord" by stubbornly choosing your own way over God's? What can you do this Advent to pay closer attention to the message of grace?
SCRIPTURE TO BE ILLUSTRATED:
"Through him we have received the grace of apostleship, to bring about the obedience of faith" (Romans 1:5).
END
Copyright © 2006 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS Word To Life column may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service.
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