Fourth Sunday of Advent_A - Everything Is Ready_121822

Deacon Tom Writes,

Everything Is Ready

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year A

Saying yes to God is never easy. Somehow, we think that Mary had an easy time saying yes to God when asked by the Angel Gabriel to be the Mother of God. The same goes for Joseph. He was afraid to take Mary as his wife until the angel told him not to fear. We are fearful of many things and that is perhaps why scripture tells us, as we hear today, “Do not be afraid.”

Fear has governed many aspects of our life. We live in fear of losing our jobs, our health, our loved ones. We are afraid that we won’t have enough…. enough success, enough money, enough energy to make it through the day, or enough of the things we need to live comfortable and independent lives. In order to lessen our fears, we work longer and / or harder. We spend our time and resources continually seeking to improve our station in life. Yet most still live in a persistently fearful state, anxious of the uncertainties that lie ahead.

Advent is a time to put our fears to rest. That is what saying yes to God really boils down to. Yes, God, I trust you. Yes, God, I know you are with me through the turmoil and uncertainty of my life. Yes, God, you will help me bear the pain, the loss, the loneliness of life that I find myself in now. I know that you will calm my fears and give me all that you see as good for me.

Mary’s son was born into a dark and harsh world. Yah, some things never change! Yet, he never succumbed to the anxieties and fears of life. Like Mary and Joseph, Jesus did all that His Father asked of Him, saying yes even in becoming flesh and bones and blood like the rest of us and born of a fully human Mary; saying yes to taking on all the hardships of our human condition; saying yes to suffering the injustice and humility of death on the cross.

Today on this Fourth Sunday of Advent, the stage is set; everything is ready. We are ready to greet the Child who frees us from our fears and anxieties and who guides us through all the uncertainties and challenges of life.

Have a blessed and joy-filled Christmas!
and Happy New Year

Deacon Tom

Please Visit www.deaconspod.com for a contemporary conversation exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer.

 

OTHER RESOURCES

Recommended Reading: “Father Ed The Story of Bill W.’s Spiritual Sponsor, By Dawn Eden Goldstein is an excellent biography of an incredible priest, mentor and spiritual guide who helped rescue many people from painful addictions and emotional suffering. A must read for everyone.

 

Recommended You Tube: A YouTube interview with Dawn Eden Goldstein by Robert Ellsberg, Editor of Orbis Books on the release of her recent book, Father Ed The Story of Bill W.’s Spiritual Sponsor. Wonderful overview of this timely book.