The Holy Infant is our Savior and Shepherd – and our peace
Reflections on the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent (December 23, 2018): MI 5:1-4; PS 80:2-3,15-16,18-19; HEB 10:5-10; LK 1:39-45
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
On this last Sunday of Advent, we hear the prophet Micah offer the Jewish people hope for their future and the future of the world.
He singles out an obscure town and the ruler who will come from there. “You, Bethlehem-Ephratha…from you shall come forth for Me one who is to be ruler in Israel; whose origin is from of old.… He shall stand firm and shepherd His flock by the strength of the Lord…for now His greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; He shall be peace” (Micah 5:1, 3-4).
During Advent, we have heard a number of prophesies about the coming of the Messiah. Today we hear that the place of Jesus’ birth is not a big city or a place honored in history. Like so many of God’s plans for His people, the results are unexpected. The divine viewpoint and the human viewpoint rarely seem to coincide. Is it any wonder that while we may expect wealthy, worldly, powerful leaders, the Almighty sends us a poor, humble, generous Savior? Throughout His life, the Son of God proved Himself to be a sign of contradiction. He wants us to be His own, people of faith, hope and love. Let us ask our Lord each day how we can show that we truly belong to Him and want to imitate and serve Him. Then we may truly understand that Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace.
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