A New Thing

Dear Cathedral Family,

The gospel for this fourth Sunday of Advent describes Joseph’s dream, the annunciation revealing God’s saving plan in the miraculous birth of Jesus. Joseph’s central role in Matthew’s version underscores that this new thing that God is doing is part of a long plan and series of actions that began with Abraham. Abraham received his own divine message about the unlikely birth of his son, and Joseph’s own Old Testament namesake also led his people to salvation by means of his dreaming.

Among the many amazing and honorable things we could say about Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, one of the most significant is that he was willing to pay close attention to his dream—and thereby to participate in the long anticipated fulfilling of God’s promise of an heir to David’s kingship. In his seemingly unpromising situation, Joseph was able to see God’s hand at work and to assume his responsibility in God’s plan.

Advent is the season in which we are invited to our own experiences in the world in order to see in them the signs of God’s work to bring about new life. What looks like a barren landscape in this world can still yield new growth. God’s future is already sprouting, and Advent is our time for looking closely to see the signs and for opening ourselves to do our part in the growth.

This can be hard to practice in times like this last week, when we have been inundated with news of violent events fueled by hatred. The daily news is filled with the killing of innocents and the suffering of our world. But the gospel invites us to look closely at our world, to seek out the places where God is doing a new thing and to be like Joseph in our willingness to participate in God’s unlikely plan for the salvation of the world.

As we move this week from Advent toward Christmas, please pray for the grace to see the sprouts of new life and hope as we prepare for the coming of the Prince of Peace. Reach out in love to the lonely, the bereaved, and the little ones, who all need your care as an expression of God’s love.

Faithfully,

Beverly+