Welcome The Son, the Gift from The Father

Weekly Missionary Reflection
Sunday, 24 December 2023
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
2Sam. 7:1-5,8b-12,16; Ps. 89:2-3,4-5,27,29; Rom. 16:25-27; Luk. 1:26-38

In this fourth week of Advent, we are invited to prepare ourselves to welcome the Christmas Feast more properly. We need to be patient to realize that the coming of the Son is indeed necessarily well and profoundly prepared. We need to pay serious attention to this matter, despite some people rushing to initiate Christmas celebrations, even at the beginning of the “last Month”. Regardless of any reason, it is not good to treat the Christmas Feast as the moment for preparing new clothes or food, songs or spiritual things, and any decorations. Question for individual, family, group, community, or parish: how deeply have we prepared this Christmas, externally and internally? Advent has to be treated like Lent: how deeply do we listen to Gabriel’s saying “You are praised for God blesses you”. In the blood and flesh of the Christ Child, we welcome the Father’s will by presenting His generosity.

In the first reading 2 Sam. 7:1-5,8b-12,16 it clearly explains how the “son of David” is presented through the combination of “Humanity and the Greatest Divinity”. Thus, the Old Testament had directed Israel’s faith to believe how God involved the world and humanity in the “COMING OF THE ADVENTUS” the Son. So, the Incarnation is not a vague or merely a ‘symbol’, but it is “a happened mystery”. This would be seriously explained by Paul in his letters, as a continuation of the Gospel. Thus, Christmas is not only an event with symbols and decoration, instead, it is a real combination of the Human and Divine in an open and real way. Therefore, we should humbly pray: “Lord, thank you for Your coming, You are indeed our brother”.

In the second reading of Rom. 16:25-27, Paul invited the people to realize that God’s plan to save and sanctify humans from any sins is not just a symbol as announced many times in different forms of the Old Testament. Still, it is a real event that is truly lived with full of faith. The preaching of the prophets was long announced, yet they never got tired of affirming it. Therefore, now, we need to seriously declare it from the bottom of our hearts. Therefore, we should say: “Thank you Father for You have sent Your Son, to unite Himself with humans, to manifest Your mercy. 

In Gospel reading: Luk. 1:26-38: the birth of Jesus was described by Luke through a human and divine story. Human Mary was greeted humanly with humane conversation as well as humane confusion yet it was made perfect with the proclamation of Good News about the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thus, the majesty of the Revelation of the Incarnation and human’s way of welcoming Him with faith are presented beautifully. In other words, humans are invited to welcome the Message of Messiah’s birth with deep faith, amid humanity marked with Divine Mystery. In the glorious mystery, humanity welcomes The Son to be filled with the Holy Spirit who will purity everything. 

Let us pray: “Almighty God, allow us to be grateful for your generosity for the sake of redemption”.

(RP. B.S. Mardiatmadja, SJ – Lecturer of STF Driyarkara)

DAILY DEDICATED PRAYER

Lord, our Father, I present my today prayer, thought, word, work, joy, and sorrow in unity with Your Son, Jesus Christ, who always presents Himself in the Eucharist for the salvation of the world. May the Holy Spirit animating Jesus, also be my guidance and strength today so that I am ready to be the witness of Your love.

Together with St. Mary, Mother of Jesus, and the Church, in particular, I present my prayer for our Pope and apostle prayer of the Indonesian Church of this month:

For persons with disabilities
We pray that people living with disabilities may be at the center of attention in society and that institutions may offer inclusive programs that value their active participation.

Climate change
We pray to have a grateful heart that God is willing to be a human living in this world and with this gratitude, we are encouraged to individually or collectively overcome the problem of climate change and environmental damage that is threatening this earth.

Amen.