Homilies

4th SUNDAY OF ADVENT: THE 'YES' OF MARY TO GOD'S SAVING PLAN

THE ANNUNCIATION OF Angel Gabriel to Mary marked the beginning of the salvation of humanity. The Archangel Gabriel came to the small, poor and humble village of Nazareth in Galilee, to break the news regarding the end of the long wait for the coming of the Lord’s Promised Messiah, the Good News announced to the world through Mary.

We go over the important moments in the gospel passage. There are two important characters, the Angel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary.

Firstly, we begin our reflections on the Angel Gabriel. Gabriel is an archangel and as such, he is a messenger of God. Accordingly, angels are pure spirits, they don’t have bodies like us, humans. They are simply known by their function, that is, messenger of bringer of good news. Thus, angels are God’s messengers; they are bringers of good news.

The first words that the Angel Gabriel uttered to Mary is “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you”. The word “hail” means ‘rejoice’. In the context of giving the good news to her, the angel invites Mary to rejoice. Mary is the model for the Church; she is a humble disciple who listens to God with trust and joy. With that same attitude we shall listen to God in the Church today. Our Church seems to be lacking on joy. Unfortunately, in some instances, Jesus no longer appears as Good News. Where joy is lacking, faith loses its freshness. Therefore, let us try to awaken joy in our communities; joy which is the result of the salvation that Jesus gives us.

The other word or phrase that the Angel Gabriel uttered to Mary is “Don’t be afraid.” Mary was confused when she heard of the Good News. It was logical or natural for Mary to feel that way because she was a virgin, and she had no relations with a man. The consoling words of the Angel gave her some enlightenment. Fear is a feeling that we can experience every day. We feel that at school, in the workplace, and also, as we grow older. When we are afraid, we acknowledge that we are small, weak, finite, and powerless. Therefore, we are in need of a ‘higher power’ to complete is. Thus, in times of doubts and fear, we also take the words of the Angel: “Don’t be afraid!” because there is God. The simple meaning of this phrase is simply to put our trust and faith in God.

Secondly, we reflect now on Mary and the words that she uttered to the Angel. Mary was at the outset confused by the words of the Angel. When Mary understood well how the conception would proceed, she simply said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” In other words, Mary has said “Yes” to God’s invitation or vocation to become the Mother of God. And Mary's “Yes,” has changed the world and the fate of humanity. Her obedience to God's call changed the lives of human beings. If Mary had said “No,” instead of “Yes,” history might have been different. Certainly, if the Incarnation did not happen, God wouldn’t have been closer to us.

Pope Francis reflects that the ‘yes’ of Mary opens the door to the ‘yes’ of Jesus who said to the Father, “I come to do your will”. He further says, that for a Christian, there is no other response to God’s call but a ‘yes”. This “yes” indicates our obedience to God, to His will, and to his plan.

But I would say that saying ‘yes’ or obeying God may not be an easy thing to do. This would depend on how we are used to doing this. It should begin in the early years of our life. Children should be taught how to obey in many ways. If children know the beauty and the meaning of obedience, then it would be a lot easier to obey God and his will. But if they are used to disobey authorities (parents, teachers, leaders) who are present, then how can they be obedient to God who is physically absent?

With the ‘yes’ of Mary as our background, we can also reflect on our ‘yes’ to God during our baptism. It is good to think about it whether on the process it has become a “no” or it has remained a 'yes'.

One last point. Mary’s ‘yes’ is her participation or collaboration in God’s plan to save humanity. Because, in her womb, the Savior was born. Like Mary we show also our yes to God in terms of salvation. We need to participate in the continuing plan of God in the salvation of humanity. Maybe we shall ask ourselves: have I also become an instrument of saving others? Have I been interested also in saving the souls of others? AMEN.

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