Homily: Fourth Tuesday of Advent

Fourth Tuesday of Advent (Lk. 1:26-38) “We Are Going to Have a Baby”

In the eight days before Christmas, we begin to read from the infancy narratives. These are the stories of Jesus birth and childhood. We only find these stories in the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke. Mark and John say nothing about Jesus’ early years.

Today, we read the story of the Annunciation. One thing that touches our hearts about the stories that we read in the infancy narratives is how the people we meet react when the unexpected happens in their life. We can relate to these stories because we have surprises often in life.

Sometimes those stories are not happy or sad, but they just are. I remember early in my priesthood that a family I knew had a surprise pregnancy. The father and mother were shocked that their daughter was having sex with her boyfriend. They were patient and loving with the situation.

I talked with the brother of the woman who was pregnant. I asked him what this would mean for his family. Would there be a marriage? Would they put the baby up for adoption. I was looking at solving a problem. The brother said, “What will this mean? It means our family will have a baby.” There wasn’t distress only a sense that everything would work out. In the end it did. There was a marriage, and the couple is still married today as far as I know.

The main characters that we meet in the Gospels react in much the same way to unexpected news. Mary asks the question, “How can this be?” But when the angel explains Mary cooperates with God’s plan. We do not hear of her being distressed. We only hear of her confidence in God despite the embarrassing situation she finds herself in.

We all have had “surprises” in our family life. Maybe it is a surprise illness that a family member has. Perhaps it is the loss of job. The worst surprise is a sudden death. When a family has a faith life there seems to be the ability to cope and to move forward with courage.

Reflection Questions:

1.     Have I had a surprise crisis in my family life? What was it?

2.    How did my family react? Did things work out for the best?

Dear Parishioners,

          We had our Advent Reconciliation Service last night. It was a wonderful celebration. If you missed out last night, there are still two opportunities for Reconciliation on Wednesday December 21st and Thursday December 22nd at night from 6-7 p.m. Fr. Matthew and I will be available to hear confessions.

          I like to offer these extra times. The people who come to celebrate the Sacrament quite often have a strong need to receive absolution. Some of us are carrying heavy burdens this holiday season.

Why not come and find peace and joy before celebrating Christmas.

          May Our Lady teach us patience these last days of Advent.

          Fr. Mark