Fourth Sunday of Advent Reflection: God’s Plan For My Life
Fourth Sunday In Advent Year A – God’s Plan For My Life – Matthew 1:18-24
You can listen to this reflection here https://www.spreaker.com/episode/52159224
Promises, promises; the big wedding is off! Now what… how to control the situation? Perhaps a trip to a distant cousin for a quick abortion or an arranged adoption. Disgrace and dishonour of the family name can easily lead to financial ruin… what to do?
Mary has no status in society, or in law, and the decisions to be taken are all in the hands of the man, Joseph. Joseph has a plan! We always have a plan…after all that is the responsible way. God however has another Way… but following the ways of dreams and Angles… maybe not!
King Ahaz in Jerusalem, a descendant of King David of the Kingdom of Judah has a problem. He is consumed with the complex ‘realities’ of international diplomacy and a host of worldly worries, cares and burdens. He is preparing for war and is searching for a strong alliance to defeat his enemies and so turns to the Assyrians a strong pagan nation, what we would refer to today as one of the superpowers.
Isaiah warns Ahaz of impending disaster if he continues with this alliance, and Isaiah makes the prophecy and promise; the maiden is with child and will soon give birth to a son whom she will call Emmanuel, a name that means ‘God is with us’. The maiden refers to Ahaz’s wife, but Ahaz has no time for this and continues with his own plans.
As has been foretold, Assyria eventually does turn from defender and protector to coloniser, and the Kingdom of Judah comes to an end. In our Gospel, Matthew sees this prophecy of Isaiah as being fulfilled 800 years later at the birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary.
Often in our lives we also face difficulties, problems and difficult decisions like Ahaz and Mary and Joseph that require a plan… an unplanned pregnancy… being made redundant… a public embarrassment … an unfavourable medical diagnosis. Events that come our way so that we are forced to seek another option, a second opinion.
What does it mean to have trust in the promise, ‘God is with us’? For those of us who have lived long lives, any review of our journey will probably reflect either regret at those paths we have ignored, those loves we have denied, or wonderful opportunities that we let go of because we stuck to our own plan and our own agenda.
How often do we look at our plans and ambitions in the review of the ages of our story as God’s human family? Then there is the other side of this review; where we never thought at first that this is how things would be. How very different from the original plan that I had in mind for my future. An acknowledgement that God’s Plan has made me happier and more fulfilled than I could ever have imagined.
And so we have the two examples before us: Ahaz who thought that his own plan B ignoring God’s promise and plan for the future would bring security and happiness: Mary and Joseph who align themselves with God’s plans rather that their own desires and aspirations, so that the promise of ‘God with us’ becomes a reality.
Am I busy with my own plans to control my environment, family, abilities and status or am I aligning myself with God’s plan for my life? Do I trust God’s plan in time will be more and better than anything I could think to ask for or imagine?
God told the Prophet, Jeremiah, “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future and a hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you” (Jeremiah 29:11-12).
And as Isaiah says today: “the Lord himself will give you a sign”. It will be a sign to remind us that God is, indeed, with us. What is God’s plan for your life/what is God calling you to do? Isaiah is telling us today that “God will give you a sign; a sign to remind us that” God is with us”.
Sixteen hundred years pass since King Ahaz’s frantic plans. Mass with the readings in Latin, the priest with his back to the congregation; a great gulf between the ordinary person and the great sanctity of God. For a little poor man of Assisi however, it is the idea of Jesus Christ becoming one with creation as a helpless baby that led him to present the first Christmas crib scene at Greccio in the Reiti valley.
Not only were we able to hold this infant who gives himself into our care, but we are also able to see the world through the eyes of the infant, with awe and wonder, as good. This represents a personal God who becomes one with creation, a creation that is holy to receive Him, and that is holy again due to His presence in that creation.
Before time, God’s plan was to be one with and in God’s creation, sharing with us God’s eternal life of the Trinity, taking our lives and our struggles into the very heart of God… God with us. The maiden is with child and will soon give birth to a son whom she will call Emmanuel, a name that means ‘God is with us’.
Sun and Sister Moon
I seldom see you
seldom hear your tune
Preoccupied with selfish misery
Brother Wind and Sister Air
Open my eyes to visions pure and fair
That I may see the glory around me.
I am God’s creature,
of Him I am part
I feel His love awakening my heart.
Brother Sun and Sister Moon
I now do see you,
I can hear your tune
So much in love with all that I survey.
- The Church Year and Advent - December 1, 2024
- Easter Sunday Reflection: The Way – Love Overcomes Violence & Death - March 29, 2024
- Palm Sunday Reflection: Re-Espousing And Anointing - March 22, 2024
