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Reflections for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

Written by Rev. Joseph A. Benintende

Pastor, St. Mary’s Church, Oneonta, NY

Used with permission

Submitted by Joan M. Houk


The readings for
this Sunday:

Isaiah 7:10-14

Romans 1:1-7

Matthew 1:18-24

Our (Advent) readings proclaim that Israel’s hope is for justice, peace, and well-being. The men and women of Biblical times knew of God’s promises and they trusted deeply that God would be true to such promises. And so Advent begins by proclaiming a vision of a world where peace is the atmosphere in which all peoples will live. No matter what is happening around us, no matter how much fear the world is living in, we, as followers of Jesus, must continue to preach and live justice, peace and well-being for all peoples.

There is no doubt about it, but that this is a very difficult task in the world in which we live. The temptation today is to withdraw into as much security and safety as we can find. We can so easily get caught up in an atmosphere of mistrust, fear, and suspicion. The increased security at many public events can serve not only as a protection for us, but a heavy blanket that smothers our sense of good will towards others. We are told that our first inclination should be to sense evil, not good. Isn’t that a sad way to live?

At the risk of being called naïve or simplistic, or even unpatriotic, we have to resist the temptation of a siege mentality. When we start to live as if the rest of the world is our enemy, then we have given up the vision, which Jesus came to plant deep within our hearts. What the world needs is not more guns and elaborate defense systems which drain resources from our people who don’t even have the basic needs of life. We need justice, peace and well-being. And so when we see people involved with bringing hope to others, enabling them to live with dignity and having their basic needs filled, then we should rejoice because God’s promises are being brought to life.