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Sunday Scripture Study

Fourth Sunday of Advent - Cycle A

December 22, 2013

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Opening Prayer

First Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14

Psalm: 24:1-6

Second Reading: Romans 1:1-7

Gospel Reading: Matthew 1:18-24

Three weeks ago, we heard the Annunciation as the gospel reading for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception; we now hear about Joseph and his reaction to the news.

Knowing he was not the father of the child being carried by Mary (that, in fact, she had conceived of the Holy Spirit; see verse 18), but not wanting to subject her to the harsh Jewish penalties for adultery (Deuteronomy 24:1-4, 22:20-23), Joseph planned to pursue the milder option of divorcing her quietly.

He is prevented from doing so by an angel who appears to him in a dream. The angel, addressing him as “son of David” reminds him of his lineage in the house of King David through whom the promised Messiah would come (2 Samuel 7:12).

Thus the word of the prophet Isaiah (verses 22-23; Isaiah 7:14) was fulfilled: that Jesus would be born of the house of David, Mary is the Virgin who will give birth to him, and that his conception is miraculous, through the Spirit of God. Jesus is Emmanuel, a name which means “God is with us.” Jesus is the God who is always with us: in his first Advent (John 1:1, 14), until the Second Advent (Matthew 28:20), and forever in eternity (Revelation 21:3-4).

QUESTIONS:

In the 1^st reading, King Ahaz was insincere in not wanting a sign from God. But if God chose to give you a sign, would you accept it—even if meant changing your life because of it?

In the 2^nd reading in verses 2—4, where does St. Paul say the Gospel message originated? What two things does he affirm about Jesus? How do these all relate to the mystery of his coming into the world that we will celebrate next week at Christmas?

How would you feel in Joseph’s place in verse 19? In verses 20-21? What would you say to your family and friends? To God?

What reason does Matthew give as to why Jesus was born (verse 21; see Luke 1:67-79)?

Matthew quotes Isaiah 7:14 and applies it to Jesus: How has the name “Emmanuel” been fulfilled in Jesus?

What is most striking to you in this story of Jesus’ conception? How have you experienced Jesus as Emmanuel this Advent?

What is the importance of the detail that Joseph “woke from sleep” as he was considering his relationship with Mary? What events in your life have entailed a similar “waking from sleep”? What happened as a result?

What do you learn about trust and faith from Joseph?

Closing Prayer

Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 430, 437, 452, 486, 497, 1846, 2666

The most beautiful act of faith is the one made in darkness, in sacrifice, and with extreme effort. –St. Padre Pio

Why Did God Wait To Tell Joseph?

Pastor’s Column

4th Sunday of Advent

December 22, 2013

We are all familiar with the story: an angel appears to the Virgin Mary, requesting her permission to receive the Son of God within her. It is indeed the most awesome moment of human history! Mary is troubled by the greeting of the angel. She quickly ponders some of the implications of what she has just heard. She’s going to have a child and the child will be the son of God.

Perhaps, as she pondered, Mary asked questions like this: “What about Joseph? Who will tell Joseph? What will I say to Joseph? Will he believe me?” I find it intriguing that the angel Gabriel does not immediately go to Joseph to explain the situation after Mary says yes. And yet, the angel seems to wait until a full-blown crisis has developed, doesn't he? It would have been so much easier on both of them if he had just come to Joseph right after Mary said yes. Why did he wait?

It was only after she was found to be with child. In fact, God does not intervene in this troubling situation until Joseph is driven to the point of planning divorce papers for Mary! It seems so unnecessary when God could’ve dealt with this right away – and yet he didn’t. To me, the real question in this very interesting detail is why does God wait so long to answer some prayers? He does, in fact, sometimes seem to wait until a real crisis has occurred before he acts.

We see this same pattern happening over and over again in the Gospels and in our lives. God could’ve made it easier for St. Joseph, but he didn’t. Therefore he must’ve had a good reason for waiting to make his will clear to St. Joseph. Sometimes, we too wonder why God doesn’t make things clear right away. After all, God has all the answers – why doesn’t he share them with us?

Well, he has shared the most important answers – that we are to always trust in God, that we are to strive to do God’s will, that we are to believe in him no matter what happens. The stories in Scripture are the stories of our lives as well. How often God has a plan for us like he did for Mary and Joseph, but we have to struggle to see it. Our journey of faith glorifies God.

Sometimes we forget that the whole point of being on earth is that we can’t see God right away, that we have to grow in faith and discernment by struggling with the issues in our lives. This is exactly what Joseph did before God revealed things. The struggle was part of Joseph’s journey too, just as it is with ours.

Father Gary