I
hope that everyone is having a blessed Advent. This
4th Sunday of Advent we light the candle of peace. It is also called
the Angel Candle.
My
own little angel, my grandson, has spent advent learning Christmas songs in school.
I’ve heard Jingle Bells more this year than in the past 20 years; he scream-sings every song at the top of his lungs.
He
loves to sing, especially church hymns. His favorite is Hallelujah! God has put that song in his heart. He sings it with all the goodness and
joy his 4 year old heart can give.
Today
we have this Psalm - Forever I will sing
the goodness of the Lord!
Do
you think Mary sang for joy after the annunciation? A young girl, unmarried,
and suddenly in a way the world would not understand, expecting a child.
I know she did!!
She
sang a song the Church recognizes as the prayer of Mary, the Magnificat. It’s a
song of joy by the mother of God.
Mary
song begins, My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God
my Savior … Those words when prayed with a goodness of soul and joy of
spirit will make your heart soar.
Today’s
gospel focuses on Mary and the annunciation. Joseph had a similar experience.
In a dream an angel said they shall call
him Emmanuel, The Lord is with us. Doing the will of God, Joseph’s song may
have been O Come, O Come Emmanuel.
Being
a quiet man, not a word of what he ever said is recorded in scripture, Joseph sang
without words as his soul proclaimed the greatness of God and his spirit
rejoiced.
Probably,
we’ve all thought about what we’d do in experiencing an Annunciation. Could we say
yes to God?
Most
of us would rather hear the words of God the prophet Nathan said to David, “Go and do whatever you have in mind.” Only
for many the will of the LORD is not
what we have in mind.
We
tend to ignore the LORD’s words when what we are doing is what we want to do
and not what God wants us to do. The LORD GOD asks us do his will not ours. His
will is that we prepare the way of the LORD; prepare a house and kingdom that
will endure forever.
What
the Lord wants of us is simple. The LORD God wants us to listen for Him. The
LORD God wants us to do his will. The LORD God wants us to prepare our hearts
and soul for him through Jesus Christ.
Prayerfully
strive to do these things. Work to make houses that endure for the LORD. Come
to mass, partake in the sacraments, and pray unceasingly. And forever sing the goodness of the LORD.
We
can sing it without words. Proclaim praises to God in our soul. Feel the rejoicing
of your spirit in God. Live it. Just like Mary. Just like Joseph. Sing
Goodness.
Business owner dedicated your business to the LORD. Health Care professional dedicate your practice to the LORD. Nothing is impossible for God. If you’re a
teacher and cannot outwardly share God then dedicate your faith,
your prayers, and your example to influence the kingdom. From
garbage man to politician, prepare the Kingdom in those around us, those we
meet every day, those we protect, and those we serve.
These
are so simple and so hard; yet, God gives us the strength to do his will. God
gives the strength needed to build his kingdom by grace.
By grace, the young Mary had strength and courage to do God’s will. Grace manifest in the words of the angel Gabriel, Hail full of Grace, the LORD is with you. "Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.”
We’ve
talked about what we’d do if we had an Annunciation.
St.
Paul gave us an annunciation. “To Him
who can strengthen you …. Make known to
all nations the obedience of faith to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ
be glory forever and ever.”
Mary’s
prayer and song rejoices in doing God’s will. Doing God’s will puts a song of
joy in our hearts.
Brothers
and sisters forever sing the goodness of
the LORD. May
God’s will be done. Maybe God’s will be done in us. May grace allow a prayer
and song of rejoicing in your heart.
Sing
Goodness, Sing Holiness, and preach the gospel by the way you live and love.
Amen
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