Every Sunday, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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The Gospel for the Fourth Sunday of Advent tells the story of Mary’s Annunciation. She is greeted by the angel who calls her “Full of Grace.” It is code language for “without sin.” She has been prepared by God to have the freedom to say “yes” or to say “no” to God’s plan to save us. Happily for us, she said, “May it be done to me according to your word.”
Her obedience to God allowed the work of the incarnation the continue in her. Because of Mary’s “yes”, God’s Son would take on human flesh and God would dwell among us, first in Mary’s womb, later as the infant child of Bethlehem, and finally, dwelling within us who have become his flesh in the Church -- His Mystical Body on earth.
The drama of God coming to save us is filled with awe and wonder. It demands our attention. It shows that nothing is impossible for God — not even God taking on human flesh. And, by the way, if we believe that God can take on human flesh in the person of Jesus, we can also believe that the bread and wine presented at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass can be changed to become the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of the same Jesus. Remember, NOTHING is impossible for God.
The Christmas story, soon to be told again at our Christmas Masses in just a few hours, with its familiar characters and scenes, must never get old for us. It is the story of God’s love for us. For what we could not do for ourselves, God did for us. We could not reach up high enough to find Heaven, so God reached down far enough to bring Heaven to us.
In Jesus, we have found God on earth and he asks us to follow him. And if we do, we find that he takes us to the place where God has always wanted us to be — with him — forever. This belief is the source of our peace, our hope, and love for one another.
May we be able to see beyond the consumerist wrappings of Christmas and into the life of God’s only Son, who was born to die for us and rise again, so that we could die to ourselves to live for him with faith.
Have a Merry Christmas everyone — and prayers for God’s blessing upon you and those you love.