Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis
with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk
Fourth Sunday of Advent,
Year A – Dec 22, 2019
Readings: Is 7:10-14;
Responsorial Psalm Ps 24:1-2,3-4,5-6;
Rom 1:1-7 & Gospel Mat 1:18-24.
Theme: The Emmanuel Effect!
Introduction
Friends in Christ, today is the last Sunday of Advent and apparently, the climax
of four weeks of intense preparation for the Lord’s nativity. The Prophet
Isaiah (Is 7:10-14) brings us glad
tidings that a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son who shall be named
Emmanuel. Isaiah’s prophecy is amplified in the gospel (Mat 1:18-24) which
presents the circumstances leading to the saviour’s birth culminating in naming
him, Emmanuel – God is with us. Our reflection is based on the Emmanuel-Effect
in the light of God’s omnipresence, omnipotence and omniscience.
Background and Summary of
the Readings
In the first reading, the Prophet Isaiah (Is 7:10-14) brings glad tidings to the House of
David that a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son who shall be named Emmanuel –
a name which means “God is with us.” In the second reading (Rom 1:1-7), St.
Paul reminds us that we have received the grace of apostleship to bring the
obedience of faith to all who are called to be holy. He also indicates that we
are all called to be saints.
Isaiah’s prophecy is amplified in the gospel (Mat
1:18-24) which presents the circumstances leading to the saviour’s birth
culminating in naming him, Emmanuel – God with us. It further relates that when
he found out that his betrothed, Mary was pregnant, he did not want to expose
her publicly. Since he was a righteous man, Joseph decided to divorce her
quietly. By doing what as honourable, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a
dream and urged him to take Mary as his wife stressing that she was with child
through the Holy Spirit. We are told that when Joseph woke up, he did as the
Lord had commanded him in a dream by taking his wife into his home.
Emmanuel Effect: Implications
1. He came and was born in a manger in Bethlehem over thousand years ago – that
is why we refer to him as the God who was...
2. He assured that he would go and prepare a place for
us so that where he is, we too may be. This means that he would come again in Glory at the Parousia. Until then, his
abiding presence is ever with us – that is why we say he is omnipresent.
