LARRY BRODING

Not In Control

Video  | 1st Reading | Psalm  | 2nd Reading  | Gospel

4th Sunday of Advent (A)

How has life turned out differently than you imagined it? Have you been disappointed or encouraged? Why?

Take charge! Use your personal power! Improve yourself! Influence others!

Self-help is big business. And not without reason. The purveyors of self-help empower us to change for the better. But, like any popular movement, there is a negative side. We might tempted to assume that change means control over others and the circumstances of life. Once we step over the line between what can be changed and what cannot, we eject wisdom. Soon, we will face disappointment. Our dreams turn to dust.

Disappointment was once described as “…what happens to our plans when life gets in the way.” Certainly Matthew had this in mind when he wrote these passages about the birth of Jesus.

Children’s Reading | Catechism Link | Family Activity

SOURCE: WORD-SUNDAY © Larry Broding

VINCE CONTRERAS

4th Sunday of Advent (A)

1. In the 1st reading, King Ahaz was insincere in not wanting a sign from God. But if God chose to give you a sign, would you accept it—even if meant changing your life because of it?
2. In the 2nd reading in verses 2—4, where does St. Paul say the Gospel message originated? What two things does he affirm about Jesus? How do these all relate to the mystery of his coming into the world that we will celebrate next week at Christmas?
3. How would you feel in Joseph’s place in verse 19? In verses 20-21? What would you say to your family and friends? To God?
4. What reason does Matthew give as to why Jesus was born (verse 21; see Luke 1:67-79)?
5. Matthew quotes Isaiah 7:14 and applies it to Jesus: How has the name “Emmanuel” been fulfilled in Jesus?
6. What is most striking to you in this story of Jesus’ conception? How have you experienced Jesus as Emmanuel this Advent?
7. What is the importance of the detail that Joseph “woke from sleep” as he was considering his relationship with Mary? What events in your life have entailed a similar “waking from sleep”? What happened as a result?
8. What do you learn about trust and faith from Joseph?

DON SCHWAGER

4th Sunday of Advent (A)

SOURCE: Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics

MICHAEL MARCHAL

Obedient Faith

4th Sunday of Advent (A)

BACKGROUND: The only way that Jesus could come into this world was by the “obedient faith” of very ordinary people like Mary and Joseph who were willing to do the unexpected when God called them.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Where in your life have you never thought to look for the presence of Jesus? Why not?
2. Which of God’s many calls to you have you been too afraid to answer?
3. How has your life and the lives of others been changed when you did answer one of God’s calls?
4. What situation in our society dos the church seem still afraid to answer? How might your witness change that?

SOURCE: TEAM RCIA

ANNE OSDIECK

St. Joseph and New Horizons

4th Sunday of Advent (A)

1. List the obstacles God encountered in bringing Jesus into the world. Is anything obstacle-free? How can good come out of obstruction? John Shea made a statement about Joseph’s hesitancy to take Mary into his home. discuss his statement: “This foreshadows the tension of all who will be drawn to Jesus. Is he a scandal to be rejected, or a manifestation of the Spirit to be welcomed?” (John Shea 45) “When Joseph awoke …” Did Joseph wake up in more than one way?

2. Pope Francis says that St. Joseph had some new horizons to navigate. What are all the new horizons in the Church and the world in general, that you think the Holy Spirit is showing us today?

At this point, Joseph trusts God totally, obeys the Angel’s words and takes Mary with him. It was precisely this unshakeable trust in God that enabled him to accept a humanly difficult and, in a certain sense, incomprehensible situation. Joseph understands, in faith that the child born in Mary’s womb is not his child, but the Son of God, and he, Joseph, will be its guardian, fully assuming its earthly paternity. The example of this gentle and wise man exhorts us to lift up our gaze and push it further. It is a question of recovering the surprising logic of God which, far from small or great calculations, is made up of openness towards new horizons, towards Christ and His Word.

Pope Francis Audience: St Joseph and new Horizons
Dec 22, 2019

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

SOURCE: Sunday Web Site – Saint Louis University

MONIKA KORZEC

The Grace of Understanding What It Means to Be a Child of God

4th Sunday of Advent (A)

A Righteous Man…

Joseph had to have a strong relationship with God in order to be able to have such an understanding and loving heart. As a righteous man, he showed a lot of compassion and mercy in a situation that would call for very harsh justice in the eyes of the world. He made the decision to protect the woman whom he loved, even though he did not fully comprehend Mary’s pregnancy. Thus, let how you respond to challenges be the thermometer that shows how cold/hot your relationship with God is.

1. What can you say about your reactions to unexpected situations? Especially difficult, unexpected situations? For example, a quarrel, a betrayal of your friendship, or rejection by others? Are the painful events/moments/situations change who you are?
2. Can you still show love and mercy towards those who are the source of your suffering? Or are you ending those relationships trying to hide from other unpleasant situations that may appear in the future?
3. Imagine that you are Joseph. What would you do if you were in his shoes?

MICRO RETREAT

SOURCE: CONTEMPLATIVE RETREAT | Recent Retreats