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reflections and guide

Fourth Sunday of Advent

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First Reading: Is7:10-14

Background/Context

When Solomon died, his kingdom was split into two : the Northen Kingdom of Israel with Samaria as its capital and the Southern Kingdom of Judah ruled by another king with Jerusalem as its capital. 735 years before Christ, the arrogant idolator, Ahaz, was the king of Judah when his rival, the king of Israel aligned with the king of Damascus to attack Jerusalem and overthrow Ahaz. In this fearful time, the Lord sent the prophet Isaiah to Ahaz to offer him victory against his enemies, if only he would trust the Lord. But Ahaz refused the Lord's offer, thinking he could defeat his enemies on his own if he aligned with the king of Assyria.

On the pretext that he doesn't want to test the Lord, he pompously dismissed the Lord's second offer to have Isaiah perform wondrous signs to prove that it was indeed the Lord who sent him: I will not ask, I will not tempt the Lord

Angered with Ahaz's arrogance, Isaiah prophesied that even without his cooperation, the Lord will proceed to defeat his enemies and in His time, "perform" the most wondrous sign of all : from David's (and Ahaz's) line a virgin will birth to the Messiah, the Emmanuel - God with us, not for the sake of Ahaz and his insignificant kingdom but for love of all mankind.

Message/Meaning of the Reading

We are nothing with God's help and He who created the universe and everything in it does not need the help of his creature to get anything done. Yet in his infinite Love, He gives us free will to accept His offer of salvation - THE only way to salvation.

How to Proclaim

It is a short reading but do not breeze through it or the message will be lost. It is a narrative so differentiate the words of God from those of Ahaz and Isaiah by using a poweful voice of authority. Proclaim the words of Ahaz, the obstinate king with an arrogant and defiant tone; emphasizing both occurrences of "not". In turn, Isaiah's words should be proclaimed more boldly, for he is not only prophesying but rebuking Ahaz. Pause after this sign and proclaim with emphasis the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall name him Emmanuel

Word Watch

Ahaz - AY-haz

Netherworld - NE-dər-wərld

Weary - WIR-ē

Emmanuel - eh-MAN-yoo-ehl

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Responsorial Psalm: LET THE LORD ENTER, HE IS KING OF GLORY

Psalm 24 is a processional hymn with an introduction of the Lord and His glorious Kingship over all the earth. Proclaim it with glorious exaltation!

 

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Second Reading:Romans 1: 1-7

Background/Context of the Reading

To announce his coming visit, Paul wrote to the Christian community of Rome, a community of former Gentiles on essential truths about Christ.

Message/Meaning of the Reading

As though in answer to questions on who is the "Son born of the virgin" whom Isaiah prophesied about in the first reading, Paul wrote that Christ is both man and God. As a man descended from David, he experienced human weaknesses (except sin) and as God who resurrected from death, He saves us from our sins.

How to Proclaim

This is a fairly complicated reading from a grammatical standpoint. It will be easy for the assembly to "lose track" if you read too fast. So proclaim the entire thing clearly and slowly and pause between separate thoughts.

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Gospel: Matthew 1:18-24

Background/Meaning

Unlike Ahaz, Joseph and Mary humbly submitted to the Lord's magnificent plan not just for them but for all of mankind. Through their obedience, Isaiah's prophecy in the first reading was finally fullfilled, and the divine Savior joined humanity. On this last Sunday of Advent, we are reminded to focus on the reason behind the season : the Son of the Virgin,God become man, God with us.

Reflections

Thank you, dear Lord Jesus, for becoming one, of us so that you can save us, not because we deserve to be saved, but simply because you love us.

 

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