Studies for Fourth Sunday in Advent – A – December 22, 2013

The Visitor

How many of us have encountered a visitor that changed our lives? Sometimes, a meeting lasting even ten minutes can reverberate throughout life. In Matthew’s gospel, a carpenter from a small rural hamlet had a visitor that changed not only his life, but the history of the world.

BLOG LINK  What are our dreams?

MP3 PODCAST In this week’s audio podcast, we ask the simple but hard question, “God, what do you want me to do?”

FIRST READING Isaiah prophesied a common occurrence as the sign of God’s activity. A young woman would have a child. Something as simple as child birth could change history.

PSALM Psalm 24 was a call-response song that praised God, the King of Glory.

SECOND READING Romans 1 presented St. Paul’s “resume.” He listed the core of his ministry: the activity of God in history. Paul was an apostle, but that title only made sense in God’s plan for salvation, not anyone’s self promotion.

GOSPEL In Matthew 1, the Hebraic evangelist presented Joseph’s side to the Infancy Narrative. Joseph, the righteous Jew, faced a moral choice and a challenge to his reputation. Both were answered with a visitor from heaven.

CHILDREN’S READINGS In the story for the first reading, King Ahaz failed to understand Isaiah’s prophecy about the salvation of the nation. In the story for the gospel, Sally faced a choice over her unpopular friend Jerry. Did she want a popular friend or a true friend? Was she willing to suffer the cost that each friendship presented? Joseph faced the same choice: popularity or fidelity. An angel helped his to make the right answer.

CATECHISM LINK In this week’s Catechism Link, we cover the subjects of Mary, the Mother of God, and the Incarnation.

FAMILY ACTIVITY Make this Christmas memorable. Plan your visits or your hospitality with God in mind.