Mission Society of the Philippines

Homilies

4th SUNDAY OF ADVENT: TRANSFORMING OUR FEARS

Mt 1:18-24
 
INSOFAR AS THE GOSPELS are concerned, there are two annunciations about the birth of our Lord Jesus. First, there is a recorded Annunciation to Mary (Lk 1:26-38) by the Angel Gabriel. The other account is the Annunciation to Joseph which can be seen in Matthew’s gospel (Mt 1:18-24). Here, an angel announces the good news about the birth of Jesus to Joseph in a dream.
 
Today is the last Sunday of Advent. We heard in the gospel passage that Joseph was afraid to take Mary into his home, until an angel appeared to Joseph in his dream and told him, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.”  Likewise, the angel instructed Joseph to give the name Jesus to Mary’s son.
 
Firstly, considering the prevalent culture of the time, Joseph must have been in a difficult situation. His was an embarrassing situation because Mary, his betrothed, was with child. Being a man of honor, the best thing he could do was to quietly divorce Mary. But an angel prevented him from pursuing his plan. The angel explained to him how the conception of Jesus would take place. Just as Mary followed the will of God for her, Joseph did the same by taking Mary as his wife.
 
Secondly, we need to take note that some biblical scholars try to explain the initial response of Joseph to the angel’ words in another way. They explain it through the so-called “pious theory.” The pious theory is based on the idea that Joseph realized that the child in Mary’s womb was conceived by the Holy Spirit and that he, Joseph, was so overwhelmed with the holiness of the situation and the responsibility of being a step-father to God’s child and of being a husband to His mother, that Joseph was afraid since he was a humble man and didn’t consider himself worthy to be part of that family. St. Thomas Aquinas commented on the gospel text, “And so, considering himself unworthy to live together with such holiness, he (Joseph) wanted to put her away secretly”. Here, we can surmise that Joseph must have been afraid to acknowledge Jesus as his son.  That is definitely a tall order. Thus, he decided to divorce Mary quietly. Joseph woke up and decided to take Mary into his home.  
 
This theory is something worth reflecting. This could happen to each one of us. Sometimes we are paralyzed by our fear to take responsibilities on God-given task to us.  For example, we are afraid to take care of God’s creation; we are afraid to reach out to those who are in need; we are afraid to take good care even of ourselves.  Fear stops us from being creative and productive co-workers in God’s creation. Why? Perhaps because we are afraid of what other people might say or simply because of the lifestyle we have.
 
And not only in creation! Some are afraid to serve the Church despite the good gifts they have. Despite the leadership skills, they want others to do things. They prefer themselves to be simply members. Or some parents may be afraid of taking responsibilities toward their children. They simply leave the responsibility to their relatives or even to their nannies.  
 
This gospel passage comes as a challenge for us to willingly and actively participate in the building up of God’s kingdom here on earth. Again, let us recall God's words, through an angel, to Joseph, "Do not be afraid to take Mary your wife to your home". Let us pray for the transformation of our fears. May our fears be turned into joy!
 

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