4th Sunday of Advent: Surrender and Satisfaction

Today's Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/122417.cfm

2 Samuel 7: 1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16

Psalm 89: 2-3, 4-5, 27, 29

Romans 16: 25-27

Luke 1: 26-38

I have always enjoyed planning...knowing exactly what lies ahead of me is comforting, allowing me to feel in-control, even powerful in a sense. But when life (or perhaps, God) throws a curveball my way, panic starts to settle in, as such situations do for many of us. Our readings for this Sunday suggest the beauty in this scenario, and offer reassurance in the fact that we need not fear in anything God throws our way.

The first reading from the book of Samuel recalls God's promises to David, the king, proclaiming to him: "when your days have been completed and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, sprung from your loins, and I will establish his kingdom" (2 Samuel 7:12). Here, God reveals His divine and perfect plan, assuring that His servant can trust in the promises He holds for the young king.

This plan of salvation is continued through the beginning of Luke's gospel in the encounter between the angel Gabriel and the Blessed Mother, for the angel proclaims, "'Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end'” (Luke 1:31-33).

In both these accounts, David and Mary are asked to trust in God's divine plan for them, surrendering their own anxieties, thoughts, dreams, and future aspirations to the hands of the Father, a pathway that appears fearful in human sight.

But we see just how beautiful this surrender comes to be in Mary's graceful and perfect response to God's request: "'Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word'” (Luke 1: 38). What simplicity, humility, and trust Mary exemplifies! How much simpler would life be if we all took on the cloak of humility and surrender?

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This need for surrender to the Father is expressed in an article I came across several weeks ago in the Catholic Accent entitled, "Surrender, and receive" by Mike Nelson. He alludes to the very gospel account we hear this weekend, referencing Mary's commitment to the Father in her acceptance of His plan, and how we are invited to do the same.

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However, we ponder how we're able to do such a thing. Surely, giving up everything takes so much courage! Fortunately, we understand from salvation history that God wants to be in relationship with us. Why else would God, the sole divine being of all the universe, take the humble form of a man on earth? He knew that we, being so imperfect as we are, could never reach the level of intimacy He desires from us if He didn't appear to us in a familiar fashion. That's why Jesus takes on the image of bread and wine in the mass, so that we might be one with Him through an activity we find comfort and familiarity in: eating and drinking! You see, God works hard to ensure that we are in the best possible circumstances to draw ever nearer to Him...He wants us to be with Him that much.

We often times dwell over the question: "What does God want from me?" While our duties to God are important, He also wants us to be aware of His side of the coin, in what He can give us.

Ask yourself: "What does God want for me?"

I'm sure you'll find that He wants the greatest satisfaction for you in your life, a satisfaction that comes from Him and His good grace.

This last day of Advent, let us be open to relationship with Christ, and accept His plan for our lives, always modeling after the positive attitude of the Blessed Virgin Mary!

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"For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope."

~Jeremiah 29:11