Chapter Chaplain's Homily Reflection - ROLE PLAYED BY MARY TO REALIZE GOD'S PLAN FOR SALVATION

ROLE PLAYED BY MARY TO REALIZE GOD’S PLAN FOR SALVATION

At this point in our waiting for the coming of the Lord, the readings present us with the sign of his presence. In the first reading, when Ahaz is burdened with the thought of security for his people, Isaiah approaches and advises him that the only secure way is to put his total trust in God. When he resists, Isaiah assures him that God is prepared to grant him a sign that would help him overcome his fears. Ahaz is not impressed and turns God’s gracious offer into nothing more than a temptation from the prophet. “I will not ask! To buttress his position, Isaiah goes on to announce that a virgin will bring a son into the world. She will give her son the name “God is with us.” This name will be clear proof of her faith in God, a faith far stronger than King Ahaz's.

Matthew sees what has happened to Mary and the birth of Jesus, who is Emmanuel, “God is with us,” as a fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah in the first reading. The Good News is that the faith Ahaz failed to exercise in God, Joseph, and Mary did. The dwelling of God on earth is now made possible by the roles played by Mary and Joseph. Though chosen by God to be the parents of the Savior, Mary and Joseph cooperated with this special grace by their positive attitudes.

Mary gave Jesus his human identity and provided God with a holy space in her life to take on flesh for the salvation of all. As Christmas draws near, the readings challenge us to consider what roles we need to play to realize God’s plan of salvation this Advent. Like Mary and Joseph, we are to accept that “God is with us.” He does not just come; he expects us to provide a place for him in our hearts and homes. Maybe we should take a moment to ask ourselves what we should do to provide him with this all-important place? What changes need to take place in our lives and in our relationship with one another?

This is necessary because sometimes the problem is not that God is not with us; rather, we do not recognize the ways of God’s presence and action among us. We need to realize that because God decided to be “with us,” the world is changed. There is a new creation. The Son of God made man has touched everything in the universe and transformed it. To see the world as touched by the Son of God gives us what we call a “sacramental imagination.” With this, we not only see creation as wonderful and beautiful in its natural condition, but also as radiant with the light of Christ. This sacramental imagination enables us to look at ourselves and others with a new vision - as those who belong to Christ.

This is the kind of thing Advent has been preparing us for these four weeks – to reflect the presence of Jesus Christ in our lives and to see him among the people around us. The Good News today is that to provide an inn in our home for Jesus to be born in the inner sanctuary of our hearts, we must not only have the forgiving and sensitive heart of Joseph, we must make the prayers of Mary our own: "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word" (Luke 1:38).

This prayer of Mary is the summary of the positive efforts she made to realize God’s plan of redemption. It has been known as the world's greatest prayer. It is the prayer that brought God down from heaven to dwell in the soul and body of a lowly young woman. It is the prayer that brought about the greatest event in human history, God becoming human in Jesus. It is a prayer that transforms us from our selfish prayer, “my will be done,” to God's will, “Thy will be done.” This Christmas, may we have the eyes of faith that Joseph had, to see beyond appearances to the presence of God-with-us. May that vision give us true Christmas joy and move us to a life of true Christmas love.

Fr. Imo

Chaplain 

Arrowhead Desert Valley Chapter