Fourth Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 7:10-14; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24

December has been a long month at St. Clare of Montefalco. We began the Season of Advent on December 1. Then we had the Novena and Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Three days after that feast, we began our Posadas. Those end tomorrow night. Then we celebrate Christmas—the day and the season.

Are you tired yet?

Please remember just two things from today’s homily, a name and short sentence: (1) Emmanuel and (2) “God is with us!”  We need to keep that name and that sentence on our minds, on our lips and in our hearts, especially as we approach Christmas but really throughout our lives.

In our first reading, we recall that the people of Israel needed to be reminded that God was with them during their time of national crisis, as they were facing the Babylonian Empire, the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, and what would be three generations of exile. God assured them that he would be their shepherd and, one day, God would raise another to shepherd them.

Mary found that God was with her in an unplanned, unusual and scandalous pregnancy.  Her betrothal meant that, under the Jewish law, she and Joseph were already married.  That same law gave Joseph the right to expose her to public shame and to have her stoned to death. She could not have survived that experience unless she remembered the words the angel Gabriel spoke to her: “Hail, favored one!  The Lord is with you…. Do not be afraid."

Joseph found that God was with him when he was forced to confront Mary’s pregnancy.  He wanted to do the right thing not only for him and for his faith but also for the woman he loved. Then an angel appeared to him told him, “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.” God was with him.

When we are struggling and afraid, when our worlds seem to be collapsing about us, can also remember that name and that phrase? Emmanuel—God is with us at every hour of every day. Emmanuel—God is with us here in church and everywhere we go. Emmanuel—God is with each of us and God is with us together. Emmanuel—God is with us whenever we open our minds and hearts to receive God, whenever we open our hands to do his will, and whenever we walk in his ways.  Emmanuel—God…is…with…us. +