Daily reflection _ God is at work

GOD IS AT WORK
In her birth we get a glimpse of the way God works in the world through people and places that appear lowly and insignificant.  
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
No biblical story tells of the birth of our Blessed Mother. However, in her birth we catch the first light of the dawn and the redemption of the world made known in Jesus Christ. In her birth we get a glimpse of the way God works in the world through people and places that appear lowly and insignificant. Like a humble young woman who will give birth to the world's Savior. The Old Testament prophet, Micah, sees God at work in the town of Bethlehem. God, many times it seems, uses people and places that are not popular or in the spotlight. In the least expected places, we find God at work. Micah trusts that, in an out-of-the-way town, God is at work.
Do we rejoice in the promises of God and trust in His saving plan for our lives even in those UN-expected places? There is a long tradition among many Christians of celebrating the birth of Mary, the mother of Jesus, on this day. Her birth prepared for our redemption in Jesus Christ. Matthew begins his Gospel with the genealogy of Jesus, from Abraham through the line of David, King of Israel. Matthew concludes his genealogy by stating that both Mary and Joseph came from the line of David. Mary was asked to assume in faith a burden of tremendous responsibility. It had never been heard of before that a child could be born without a natural father. Mary was asked to accept this miraculous exception to the laws of nature. That required faith and trust.
Second, Mary was not yet married. Pregnancy outside of wedlock was not tolerated in those days. Mary was only espoused to Joseph, and such an engagement had to last for a whole year. She was asked to assume a great risk. She could have been rejected by Joseph, by her family, by all her own people. Mary knew that Joseph and her family would not understand without a revelation from God. She nonetheless believed and trusted in His promises. Joseph, a just and God-fearing man, believed the message given to him, to take Mary as his wife and to accept the child in her womb as the promised Messiah. Like Mary, Joseph is a model of faith for us. He is a faithful witness and servant of God's unfolding plan of redemption. And it seems to happen in UN-expected places and times. Are we willing to trust and obey God as Mary and Joseph did?
Trust and obey! These are not always easy for us to do; we like it to be our way. But God may want us to consider a different way - His way. God's revelation can also help us to see and have that same faith and trust as Mary and Joseph did!  We heard in today's Gospel, "Be not afraid;" and "God is with us." When things do not go our way or when we have problems and do not know where to turn, we should always remember that we can receive help from a God who loves us. We get a glimpse of His love through His words in Scripture and in His Body and Blood that nourishes and strengthens us. But it is also OK at times just to feel bad or wonder why or to be confused, as long as we never lose faith and know we can turn to the One who says, "Come to Me... Be not afraid... I am with you!"
And so, we are not alone, we have God and each other.