Jeremiah 23:5-8
Matthew 1:18-24
We are at a certain period of year when sometimes we don’t listen, or hear, or engage because we are rushing to catch up with the experience of the whole end of the year celebrations. The story in today’s gospel is a familiar story that we must pay attention to especially as we welcome God ‘s word into our midst.
Like all of Scripture, the story always has something to say – in particular, something to say to us – to me! what does an angel and a dream have to say to me? Mary and Joseph, both ‘essential’ characters in God’s unfolding plan, encountered an angel and trusted a dream.
Mary greeted, she questioned, she pondered and she stepped into it. After hearing about this, Joseph did not want to hurt Mary, he loved her, he was hurt and afraid, in his dream he heard Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid, take Mary into your home – the greeting caught his attention because is deeply touched his experience – he too stepped into it…
Maybe the message for me (us) is to remember we all have an angel and a dream. We all are told Hail favored one, the Lord is with you…do not be afraid…trust the message of your heart – you always have what you need, God always has your back! So it is time for you also to step into it. Step into doing the will of God no matter the options of other appealing and luring decisions.
In the home stretch of Advent – we hear the story now each of us, essential characters in God’s unfolding plan – we know who we are and what we need to do even if everyone else says otherwise. Soon enough, we will notice the angel and trust the dream – and be surprised by the wondrous miracle about to be worked by God for us.
Adonai, My Lord and Master, let your spirit come into our midst to make us holy. Amen.
Fr Joseph Osho
