4th Sunday of Advent, Year A: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima
Emmanuel: God is always with us in times of threat and uncertainty
Readings: Is
7:10–14; Rm 1:1–7; Mt 1:18–24
Dear friends in
Christ, we are gradually approaching the end of the season of Advent. The
readings of this fourth week will shift our attention from the intense call to
repentance and penance to the scene of the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem; they
focus on the events surrounding the historic birth of our Messiah.
As we prepare
ourselves for the joyful celebration of that historic birth which changed the
course of our world, the Church does not lose sight of the challenges we face
every day. Thus, on this fourth Sunday, the Church reminds us that the Messiah
whose birth we are about to celebrate is always with us in all difficulties and
confusions; that His name is Emmanuel—God with us—and that His mission is to
save those who trust in Him from all that threatens their existence. This
awareness of who our Emmanuel is becomes necessary because many people tend to
forget the power of this Saviour whenever they are surrounded by problems. Many
look elsewhere for solutions when they feel threatened, forgetting that our
Saviour, Emmanuel, is capable of rescuing us from every trouble and directing
us on the right path. The first reading and today’s Gospel offer clear lessons
on relying on God in times of threat and confusion.
In the first reading
from the prophet Isaiah, the kings of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and of
Syria were planning an attack against the King of Assyria, who had taken
control of their territories. They asked Ahaz, the king of Judah—the Southern
Kingdom of Israel—to join them, but he refused. In response, they threatened to
invade Judah and overthrow Ahaz. While Ahaz was anxiously considering how to
save his kingdom from the imminent attack, the prophet Isaiah approached him
and urged him to trust in the power of God, whose Holy Temple was in Judah,
assuring him that God would protect Judah from all enemies.
But King Ahaz could
not trust God’s promise of protection. Instead, he preferred to form an
alliance with the king of Assyria to defend himself against Israel and Syria.
Confident in God’s protection, Isaiah told Ahaz to have faith and not ally
himself with Assyria. In the midst of Ahaz’s doubt, Isaiah invited him to ask
God for a sign—a sign that would convince him of God’s protection over Judah.
But out of fear and stubbornness, Ahaz refused. He was determined to follow his
own plans, seeking an alliance with Assyria and its pagan gods. Then Isaiah
announced a sign from God: a virgin would conceive and bear a son, whose name
would be Emmanuel—God with us—a sign meant to assure Judah that God was truly
with them and would not abandon them to their enemies. Despite this, Ahaz went
ahead with his alliance with Assyria, worshipped its pagan god, and even
sacrificed his son.
Through this biblical
story, the Church reminds us of the character and power of the One whose birth
we are about to celebrate. His name is Emmanuel, the God who does not abandon
His people in times of difficulty and threat. In our problems, sicknesses, disappointments,
and pains, He is always with us to strengthen and rescue us, because His name
is Emmanuel—God with us.
In today’s Gospel, we
encounter Joseph, whose plan to settle into marriage with Mary was shaken by
great confusion when he discovered that she was already pregnant. As Joseph
pondered how to handle this difficult situation, an angel of God appeared to him
in a dream and instructed him on what to do. Joseph trusted God and obeyed His
directives.
When we place Ahaz and
Joseph side by side, the contrast is striking. While Ahaz doubted God’s power
and refused to obey Him in his difficult situation, Joseph trusted God amid his
confusion and obeyed His instructions. While Ahaz sacrificed his son to a pagan
god to secure an alliance, Joseph protected his wife and the
Child—Emmanuel—from all human threats.
We are therefore
called to have confidence in God, especially in the most difficult moments of
our lives. The name of our God is Emmanuel—He will always be with us. Though we
may face financial problems, job insecurity, family struggles, or health concerns,
let us trust God like Joseph. Instead of relying on our own schemes, which
often lead to greater problems—as happened to Ahaz—let us open ourselves to
God’s will, trusting Him and following His directives. Let us be strengthened
by speaking to God in fervent prayer and by listening to Him through the
Scriptures.
Today, Matthew tells
us that the ancient prophecy of Isaiah—of a God who would always be with us—was
fulfilled in the birth of Jesus. Therefore, dear friends, we are about to
celebrate the birth of a God who is both transcendent and immanent, a God who is
high above us yet always with us, a God who will not abandon us in our needs,
confusions, threats, or discomforts, because His name is Emmanuel—the God who
is always with us.
Peace be with you.
Fr Isaac Chinemerem Chima
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