WWGJD
This is the fourth Sunday of Advent which is associated with peace. This weeks scripture is about finding peace.
It begins with Isaiah. When the kingdom of Judah was fighting the kingdom of Israel. Ahaz the King of Judah was looking for peace.
Isaiah spoke for God. He said to Ahaz, “Do not be afraid.” And Isaiah continued, “the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.”
In the Gospel according to Matthew, Joseph was looking for peace when an angel of the LORD appeared and said “Do not be afraid!” The angel tells Joseph “... you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
The Gospel continues, “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord has said through the prophet: Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”
St. Paul declares the Good News to the Romans that it was Christ Jesus who was promised by the prophets in Holy Scriptures.
His gospel: Christ Jesus is the Son of God. We are called to belong to Jesus Christ. In that we are called to be the beloved of God. We are called to be holy.
St Paul salutation, “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” It is a greeting of peace for all of us on the fourth Sunday of Advent.
Now, I want to share with you a little story about peace.
This week, my daughter shared a story about my six year old grandson. It is a story about finding peace. I think it can explain this weeks scripture.
My grandson had gotten angry at school and then he did something to get a conduct mark. My daughter told him, instead of reacting, take a minute and ask yourself WWJD - What Would Jesus Do?
His mother told him “do not be afraid and angry, but, know peace by thinking about Jesus.”
That 6 year old theologian thought for a little while and answered. “Momma, it should beWWGJD - What would God Jesus Do?”
He has a point there.
A couple of days later, my daughter is totally frustrated at my youngest grandson who is getting close to the terrible twos. She scolds him. Her oldest son says to her, “Relax Mom - ask yourself WWGJD?”
To know peace ask yourself, WWGJD? What would God Jesus Do? Scripture tells us what he has already done. To know that is to know peace.
His name will be Emmanuel, which means God is with us. Isaiah also speaks this of God’s peace: You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Is 26:3
The words that truly allows us to know peace: You are to name him Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.
It is through Jesus Christ born in a manger and crucified on the cross we find and know peace in this world.
Jesus said to his disciples, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Jn 14:27 “..in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Jn 16:33
WWGJD - What Would God Jesus Do? - for us to know peace?
He came into world for us and He will come again.
Be good be holy and preach the gospel of Christ Jesus by the way you live your life and love one another. Amen.
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