Impossible Except for Boundless Love
Reflections on the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent (December 24, 2017): 2 SM 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16; PS 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29; ROM 16:25-27; LK 1:26-28
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
As Advent comes to its end, we open ourselves to the coming of Jesus, the Son of God and of Mary. We recall the words of the angel Gabriel at the time of the Annunciation. “The Child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age … for nothing will be impossible for God” (Luke 1:35-37). God’s message did sound impossible except that His power and His love for us have no bounds. Jesus was conceived when Mary gave herself, body and soul in service to the Almighty. And the Savior of the world lived among us.
Now we celebrate the hope of the Old Testament as the New Testament begins. The Messiah was here with His people, readying Himself day-by-day for the time when He would proclaim the Kingdom of God. Jesus would live a humble existence as a Son of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, preparing to claim the throne of David. Yet God’s ways are not ours and Christ’s royalty was hidden. Our King would lay down His life then rise from the dead to save us for all eternity.
