THE LORD IS NEAR AND WITHIN

Meditation for the Fourth Sunday in Advent, Year A
(Is 7:10-14; Rm 1:1-7; Mt 1:18-24)

Let us meditate on some of the immediate events surrendering the birth of Jesus. This last week of Advent announces the nearness of our salvation in Jesus, and the right disposition we need to welcome Him. In the first reading, we hear the message of Isaiah delivered to king Ahaz. The king had a serious political crisis that threatened the safety of his kingdom. The prophet came to bring God’s consoling message to Ahaz and to encourage him to stand by faith in God. In the process Isaiah delivered the great prophecy about the virgin birth of the Messiah, saying, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

 

Meditate on how Isaiah’s message stood on a temporary human situation and brought in a solution that was far-reaching than the issue at hand. The crisis of Ahaz was addressed with a solution that has an eternal value. The intervention of God in human affairs brings out a dimension that goes beyond human capacity. Thus, in reaching out to God from the depths of his misery, man steps on his problems to open up to divine glory and power.

 

This is clearly demonstrated in the fulfilment of the prophecy of Isaiah as narrated in the gospel. St Joseph was burdened by thoughts about Mary’s pregnancy. Being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, he was considering the safest way to put her away without shame or hurt. “Behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit, she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” As Joseph responded to the message, he cooperated in the fulfilment of the prophecy of old and played an important role in human salvation. What began as a normal family crisis ended up as part of the story of God’s dwelling among men.

“Let the Lord enter; He is the king of glory” says the Responsorial Psalm. The Lord is near and within! According to St. Paul in the second reading, Jesus fulfilled the promise of God through the prophets in the holy Scriptures. He was descended from David according to the flesh and designated Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by His resurrection from the dead. “Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of His name…” By this obedience of faith, as we see in the life of St. Joseph, we unlock the grace to participate in the power and spirit of holiness of Jesus Christ, such that we too are designated as God’s adopted sons and daughters in Christ.

 

This new order of life, rooted in obedience of faith in Jesus, becomes our rule of life. Reflect deeply how such faith-filled life resolves life situations by opening up its limited transitory conditions to eternal glory. So, in the obedience of faith in Jesus, the man of flesh responds to the order of grace; his actions are far-reaching to eternal glory. This is how he steps on the present challenges of life to experience victory, peace and joy. That is why we celebrate Jesus who is with us, and continue to reach out to Him who is coming in glory; the Lord is near and within. “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Sunday December 18, 2022.

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