Fourth Sunday of Advent: Do Not Be Afraid

12-18-2016HomiliesFather Tony Okolo

“Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” This statementfinds fulfillment in the birth of Jesus whose birth we await this season. One important fact to keep inmind is that this prophecy was made in a period of crisis in the Davidic kingdom, as enemy armiesthreatened to invade Jerusalem and remove King Ahaz from the throne. Ahaz, out of fear of the invading Syrian army, wanted to seek help from the Assyrians but Prophet Isaiah dissuades himfrom doing so, but rather encourages him to seek divine help and assistance. At last, Ahaz was victorious as prophet Isaiah had foretold and with the dynasty’s survival in question, Isaiah foretoldthat an heir would be a sign that the kingdom would not end with Ahaz but would continue underGod’s protection.

One of the lessons we get from the encounter between King Ahaz and his dialogue with prophetIsaiah is to learn on how to seek divine assistance when we are confronted with a situation that threatens our lives and overwhelms us. When confronted with certain challenges in our lives let usseek divine help as God is always there to give us a helping hand. Ahaz would not have defeatedthe Syrian army, who were about to invade his territory, if he had not listened to the prophet andsought divine help. Thus, when the peace in our homes is being threatened, when our families are facing challenging situations, when we are threaten by sickness or doubt let us seek divine assistance.

However, in the mind of some people, the prophecy: “Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son” refers to the Ahaz son, Hezekiah who carried out a religious reform and delivered Judah from manyevils, showing that God was still with the dynasty. Its meaning is deeper than this, which is why theChurch sees this birth of Immanuel being fulfilled transcendently in Jesus Christ and Mary his virginmother. In the New Testament, especially in the Gospel narrative, Mary is the virgin who conceivesand bears the royal son, Jesus. Matthew’s Gospel reveals that Isaiah 7:14 as foretelling the virginalconception of the messiah, which is fulfilled in Mary and Jesus. The fulfillment of the prophecy becomes much clearer with Christ reigning over the world which has stood till date. The title Immanuel, in Isaiah, means “God is with us”. It expresses God’s presence with his people, his concern for them. Therefore, God is always with us and his presence among us surpasses everyother thing we can think of.

In today’s Gospel passage also, we see one of the most frequent assurances in the scripture, “Don’t be afraid”. We see it a number of times both in the old and new testament where God givesthis assurance, “Don’t be afraid”. For example in Gen 15:1, the Lord said to Abraham before entering into a covenant with him “Don’t be afraid”. In Dan 10:12 when Daniel was frightened by a terrifying vision: “Don’t be afraid”. In Luke 1:12, 30, when Mary was troubled by the greeting of theangel Gabriel he said to her, “Don’t be afraid the Lord is with you”. In Mt 28:5, in the resurrection,Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were terrified when they came to anoint Jesus, the angel said“Don’t be afraid”. Biblical scholars say that the phrase “Don’t be afraid” appeared 365 times in thebible which means the Lord tells us every day, “Don’t be afraid, I am with you no matter what you gothrough”. This same phrase formed the kernel of Saint John Paul II’s philosophy of life, when in hisopening speech after his election in 1978 he told the world, “Do not be afraid, but open your heart toJesus”. It is the same word we hear today, as angel Gabriel tells Joseph “Don’t be afraid” to takeMary as your wife for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. Mt 1:20.

What does it mean and how can we understand this assurance “Do not be afraid”. The central message God gives us in this regard is to avoid any kind of fear that could destroy our oneness withhim. When we rely on his promises and abiding presence with us we have nothing to fear becausehe is over any situation in our lives since he is among us and he is with us.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a fabulous New Year.

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