Fourth Sunday of Advent
Is 7: 10-14; Ro 1: 1-7; Mt 1: 18-35
Deacon Larry Brockman
Isn’t it exciting! The Lord is coming and he is inviting all of us to follow in his footsteps. We are being called, all of us. That’s Paul’s exciting message this morning.
Here again is what Paul said: “Through him we have received the grace of apostleship, to bring about the obedience of faith, for the sake of his name, among all the Gentiles, among whom are you also, who are called to belong to Jesus Christ”. And that’s exciting for two reasons: First, that Jesus extended the chosen people from the Israelis to all nations, the Gentiles; and second, that we are all actually being “called”.
Yes, you and I and everyone else are being called by God. And it is that second part, being called, that most people don’t really appreciate.
I heard a very interesting interview recently with President Elect Donald Trump. What really struck me were his words about “being called”. Now this man has been known a real estate tycoon, a business man, and a lot of other things during his life; but now he feels that he has been “called”. This was the essence of his response to questions in the interview. He feels that his “calling” transcends the former emphasis in his life in business and real estate. His focus now is on what he has been called to do, to be president of our country.
Mr. Trump didn’t specify who has called him. He probably thinks that he has been called by the American people; but I hope that deep down he also feels that he has been called by God.
Now being called is different from other motivations for doing a job. We can make a conscious decision to go after something. That’s different than a “call”. You see, being called means that you are being wooed, solicited, sought. Someone else is after you. That’s what is so special, that God is calling all of us. He doesn’t wait for us to find him; but he is always seeking us.
Now I don’t know whether Mr. Trump’s statements about being called are rhetoric or reality. For my point in this homily, it doesn’t matter. Because, on the merits of his words alone, Mr. Trump is describing a conversion of the heart. When we are “called” by God and we listen to that call, and then respond to it by making a basic change in our focus on life, then we have “repented” and have experienced a change in heart. Mr. Trump’s words describe the beginning of that process as he approaches his term as President. It remains to be seen how that process plays out for him. But his words illustrate the process well.
So, this is an example of what Paul is talking about this morning. The only thing I would add about the “calling” process is a little more on what it takes for this change to be true repentance. Repentance is a change in heart, but one in which we change from some sinful path to a righteous path.
Now most people are not interested in change. The fact is that most of us resist change in general. We become used to, and in many cases comfortable with the way things are. And so, when we are “called” to make a change, especially for the better, we fight it, just as we avoid anything else uncomfortable.
Such was the case with Ahaz in our first reading. The King and his Israeli subjects were simply was not interested in changing things. They weren’t interested in following some God given sign to reform. They didn’t want to listen to any of Isaiah’s prophetic predictions. And so, Ahaz cleverly says that he won’t ask for a sign. Isaiah responds by chastising the king and the Israelis about their stubbornness. Whether they like it or not, the Lord is going to send His Messiah. And that Messiah will be born of the virgin.
A thousand or so years later, the Messiah arrives. That’s our Gospel story. And what was striking about that arrival was the way that the Christ arrived. He didn’t arrive as a well to do citizen anointed by the authorities to shepherd the people of Israel to a renewed worldly greatness like his ancestor King David did. Rather, he came as a simple peasant boy, later carpenter, later journeyman preacher; and he was anointed by the Holy Spirit, not by the authorities. He did come as Isaiah had predicted, born of a virgin. And he came as Matthew quoted the Angel, with this mission: “For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Yes, Jesus came and did His Father’s will. And in doing so, He saved us from our sins. Now, we are all called to follow after Jesus Gospel example. It is an example that we can all understand. It is not hidden or protected; it is not something theoretical and transcendent. It is the example of one who became one of us and lived in every way as we do, but without sin. And all of us are “called” to it; we are actively sought to respond to it. We don’t have to seek it; it is being continually offered to us.
Yes, you and I are called; and that is so exciting!
