FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Also Read: Mass Readings for 18 December 2022 Homily for 18 December 2022 – Sunday
First Reading: Isaiah 7: 10-14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. (14)
The passage portrays turbulent times for Israel, as they faced attacks from neighboring kingdoms. But the Lord delivers them. Let us recognize the signs the Lord shows us, today. May we repent in time for the Lord’s coming.
Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 24: 1-6
Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully. They will receive blessing from the Lord, and vindication from the God of their salvation. (4-5)
Amen!
Second Reading: Romans 1: 1-7
To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (7)
Paul’s conversion (Acts 9) was evidence enough for him to know that it is the Lord who calls him. He details how educated he was in the Law under Gamaliel. (Acts 22:3) Then St. Paul proceeds to describe his conversion. (Acts 22: 4-16) With this background in mind, we must realize that St. Paul speaks to us with the conviction of his experience in the Lord. We are the redeemed children of God. God has called us and we must yield to his voice.
Amen!
Gospel: Matthew 1: 18-24
All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” (22-23)
Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the promise of God, as prophesied by Isaiah. We must first recognize God in our hearts and no logic or scientific evidence will be enough to prove him. It is only in the conviction of our encounter with Christ just like Paul, can we know that He is Lord, his name above every other name. We pray for God to show himself to us, in his mercy. Unless The Lord permits us, we will not recognize him. If we truly desire to experience him, we must first begin to repent of our sins. We pray to the Holy Spirit to enlighten our minds so that we may recognize our weaknesses and ask for pardon. Only the humble of heart can truly see God, – remember the apostles were all humble folk.
In Jesus’ name, Amen!