WEEK FOUR
TUESDAY
Isaiah 7:10-14
Luke 1: 26-38
As Christmas draws closers our readings focus on the key figures in God’s plan for humanity.
The text from Isaiah 7 in the first reading provides the background to Gospel story of the Annunciation. Isaiah’s words speak directly to the political situation of 736 BC. In the face of the growing power of Babylon, Judah is tempted to make an alliance with Assyria. Isaiah warns against this and when King Ahaz requests a sign this is what he hears:
‘The Lord himself, therefore,
will give you a sign.
It is this: the maiden is with child
and will soon give birth to a son
whom she will call Immanuel,
a name which means God-is-with-us.’
Isaiah’s message is very clear: trust in God and don’t be tempted to organise things yourself. From our vantage point the words are very comforting. In the turmoil of our daily lives we need to know that God is with us. The image of a pregnant maiden also tells Ahaz that there is a plan and the difficulties will pass. God’s plan will unfold in months and not years.
Since the pandemic we’ve had to trust that our government has a plan and it hasn’t been easy. More than ever we have needed to believe that God is with us. We’ve been pretty much powerless in the face of the big issues, but perhaps have learnt the value of doing the small things consistently.
‘Such people as these immediately put aside their own concerns, abandon their own will, and lay down whatever they have in hand, leaving it unfinished. With the ready step of obedience, they follow the voice of authority in their actions.’ (Chapter 5, Obedience)
When you enter a monastery the overall plan is clear: to seek God with these people, in this place. Most people don’t report a ‘Damascus moment’ in their vocation journey. The journey often involves a very gradual dawning that God is calling. It involves saying ‘Yes’ to somethings and ‘No’ to others. Sometimes several events and perhaps people, will all point in the direction of the monastery. The path you follow is more or less marked out for you. There will come times of crisis when you’ll need to reconnect with that first inkling that God was calling you. The rhythm of the life will mean that you are asked to set aside your own will on a daily, if not hourly basis. These are little moments of ‘annunciation’ on your journey. Sometimes your ‘Yes’ will be strong and clear and at other times it will be weak and a little half-hearted. God honours every ‘Yes’.
One day the unexpected will come. There will be something that turns your world upside down. That day God will wait for your ‘Yes’ just as the Angel Gabriel waited for Mary’s ‘Yes’. You’ll step out in faith.
How is God calling you to say ‘Yes’ this Advent?