In Sunday’s first reading we hear about the house of God. God says it is not in our hands to build, but that He will give us a living temple. The true house of God, the place where he lives, is none other than Mary, the blessed mother. It is Mary who opens the door for the coming of God to the world and who received the son of God. In some ways, when we accept the presence of God in our lives, we also become a home for God and open the door for His presence in the world. In spite of our doubts, hesitations, and fears, if we say yes like Mary, we will facilitate the coming of God to a world that is in need of salvation, peace, and forgiveness.
Jesus was born into this world to accomplish the Father’s plan for our salvation. At the age of twelve Jesus would speak intelligently about the scriptures, amazing all who listened with his wisdom and understanding. That scene foreshadows the teaching ministry of Jesus that would take place two decades later as crowds would gather from near and far to listen to him preach.
In Sunday’s second reading, Paul details the virtues we must cultivate: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness and above all else, love and gratitude. This reading presents a good examination of consciousness with regard to family life. When have we taken a harsher stance over kinder ones? In what moments have we neglected to express our gratitude for the things others do for us throughout the day?
Maybe it doesn’t occur frequently, but there are times when things turn out so well for us that we may believe we are powerful or important. There are also times we find ourselves incapable of solving our problems and feel depressed. In Sunday’s readings we are advised not to lose our joy. That is our vocation as Christians. Our joy does not come from being able to do lots of things or from our own triumphs and victories.
We all know what it is to feel the solitude of a desert, and to feel that a difficult situation is never going to end. In Sunday’s reading we are given the good news that even when we find ourselves in what may seem to be an endless desert without solace, we receive word that the Lord will come as a shepherd to guide his flock and carry them on his shoulders. We are told that there is an end to our difficulties, because the Lord Jesus is coming to conquer all evil and death. Let’s place our hope and faith in God’s promise.
