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.
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.