Most Reverend Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv DD STL, Bishop of Parramatta
The fourth Sunday in Advent, Year A
Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24
Courage to act outside survival instincts
Dear friends,
It has been a week since the devastating terror attack in Bondi that shook the entire country to the core. The senseless violence that was aimed at the Jewish community celebrating Hannukah, the festival of light has, ironically, cast a pall of darkness over us. We saw the worst of humanity through the hate-filled and horrific actions of the shooters. However, we also witnessed the best of humanity through extraordinary acts of bravery, compassion and community solidarity.
There was a woman who used her body to protect a child who had been separated from her parents. A couple who lost their lives because they had tried to stop the terrorists unsuccessfully. Then there was Ahmed who was the unlikely hero and a reminder to us what Australia is all about. Our race does not matter, or our skin colour, or even our religion. What matters is our respect, love, care for others. Ahmed did this by risking his own life to disarm the attacker. His action represents the best of Australia and indeed, the best of humanity.
Today’s scriptural lesson is also about the courage to act outside our instincts and to follow divine directives instead. It challenges us to live our lives with radical openness to God’s plan that may come not only without clarity and certainty but also often at a cost to ourselves.
In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah speaks to King Ahaz concerning God’s plan for his people during the turbulent time prior to the collapse of Judah, the Northern Kingdom. Ahaz has formed an alliance with the powerful King of Assyria. He did so out of political expediency and opportunism. In other words, he wanted to protect his own power and interest.
Isaiah, though, has no time for survival politics. He is more concerned about fidelity to God’s covenant and the welfare of the people. He told Ahaz that God would save his people not through military might but through a vulnerable and helpless child. “A virgin will soon give birth to a son whom she will call Emmanuel, a name which means God is with us”. The lesson here is to trust in God and not in worldly power. It takes courage to follow the way of humility, selflessness and care for others.
The Gospel reinforces this lesson through the story of St Joseph. We are told that it was not all so smooth sailing for him. Even at the very outset, his involvement with God’s plan was riddled with unexpected crises. Upon discovering that Mary was already pregnant, Joseph planned to divorce her. However, he was assured in a dream that Mary was with child through the power of the Holy Spirit. He was invited to enter into the mystery of the Emmanuel, the God of faithful relationship. Just as Mary had done, Joseph too learned to submit to God’s plan and live it out with a vulnerable trust.
Joseph is asked to take with him Mary and the child. In fact, in Matthew’s account, we find this expression “to take with him” six times. Whether it was the unexpected pregnancy, the flight into Egypt, or the return to Israel, Joseph was the guardian of weakness and fragility. He responded with total trust, courage and selflessness. He put aside his own plans and desires in order to follow God’s directive.
Dear friends,
Like King Ahaz, Mary and Joseph, we must be open to God’s way, which often shakes us out of our familiar and secure environment. It is not easy to learn to adapt to new ways. Ahaz resisted the advice of Isaiah and yielded to the temptation of power. He brought disaster to Israel. Mary and Joseph obeyed God even at their own cost. They are models of faith-filled, courageous and selfless discipleship.
In the uncertainty, chaos and confusion that we find ourselves, such as this time, let us be inspired by their example. Let us not be overwhelmed with fear but renew our commitment to live by the light of God’s directive. Scripture today teaches us that God is with us in the heart of our predicament. Whether the crisis is personal or collective, the way forward is to discern what God requires of us. It is the faith, selflessness and generosity of Joseph and Mary rather than the self-centredness of Ahaz that guide us.
Today, we also pray in thanksgiving for the dedicated ministry of Fr Brendan in this community. Over many years, he has been a constant companion, a spiritual guide, a steady father-figure, a zealous evangelizer and an instrument of God’s grace to countless parishioners. His whole life -like that of Mary and Joseph- has been marked by faith, selflessness and generosity. In discerning God’s will for him, he has likewise put aside his own preference, I am sure, to go where he’s called. In thanking him, we acknowledge his enduring legacy here at St Mary’s and we commend him for God’s abundant blessing in the future.
Let us pray that, as St Paul reminds us, we may be faithful in carrying our mission of sharing the Good News and witnessing to God’s love. May he accompany and form us into his people and his instruments for the transformation of the world. May Mary and Joseph be our models and examples of faith and trust in God as we prepare to meet the Prince of Peace at Christmas.
