Fourth Sunday of Advent
“Let the Lord enter, he is the king of glory.”
These words from Psalm 24 can also be understood as keeping our hearts and minds open to the graces of God. Joseph’s dream from the Gospel of Matthew is an illustration of the way in which Joseph and Mary opened their hearts and minds to God amidst a very challenging situation. Joseph and Mary’s “yes” to God carried with it grave consequences for them according to the Mosaic law. The couple persisted in their trust of God and the grace given to Mary, Joseph and the world was God’s only-begotten Son. St. Francis took on many risks when he renounced his ties to worldly goods and his family. The grace given to him was a closer uninhibited encounter with Christ through encounters with others. The lives of Mary, Joseph, and St. Francis are examples to us on how we give ourselves to God even though our “yes” may lead us to places or situations we may not want to experience. We may not find ourselves in grave situations, but our lives do present challenges. As Christians we are called to be open to God’s grace in joyful as well as challenging times. As we prepare ourselves to receive God’s only begotten Son into our hearts, may we also be open to recognize and accept the graces God grants us through the challenges and joys of life.
Deacon Nicholas Ascioti
Assistant Campus Minister, Siena College
Well said. Thanks
ReplyDelete