Fourth Sunday of Advent
Today’s readings present us with two stories. The first story is the story of David, only the second King of Israel. By his extraordinary efforts, David had finally brought stability of the kingdom of Israel. The kingdom was secure enough for David to build himself a new palace. The Ark of the Covenant, however, was in a mere tent. David was troubled by this. How could the Ark be in a tent while he lived in a palace? Hence, David decides to build a temple for God. In one way, we must admire David’s sincerity and thoughtfulness. If we go a little deeper, though, does it not seem incredible that a mere human being could attempt to build a dwelling place for the God who created the universe and everything in it? As if the most magnificent structure we build could hold the power and majesty of God! I do not want to be unfair to David because David’s intention was sincere, good and holy. But God wanted David to learn that he must live in accord with God’s will and not by his own plans. David soon realized that God’s plan was to build a Kingdom for David rather than David build a home for God. The temple would be built by someone else.
The second story is that of Mary. Unlike David, she was not from a royal family and did not live in a free nation. She was poor and the last thing she could do was build a temple for God. However, she did something far greater than that! Mary became God’s temple. She carried in her womb, the Son of God. She did so as she exclaimed, “May it be done to me according to your word [will] (Lk 1:38). In ways David never could, Mary surrendered her will to God totally for eternity.
One the greatest challenges we face in life is discerning God’s will. I have titled this homily, “On Discernment,” and here are my three points:
- God’s Will and Our Will. God has given us two great gifts: intellect and free-will. We navigate through life using these two gifts. We use our intellect and free will to take responsibility, make crucial decisions, and make meaning not only our lives but those entrusted to our care. In Christian living, though, there is yet another factor to consider – God’s will. As Christians we also try to make sure that our lives and God’s will are in accord with each other For example, David willed to build a Temple for God, but God’s will was very different. In my own life, when I was ordained, I never imagined that I would actually serve the church in a foreign land. As you look at your life, I am sure you realize that sometimes life has led you in directions you never intended go. This, then, is the challenge of Christian spirituality – that God’s will and our will are in accord. The challenge is even more intense because almost always, it is not that an angel appears to us like the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and reveals God’s will. Moreover, God does not force God’s will on us. Using our intellect, and in faith, we can only hope that we discern God’s will and accomplish it to the best our ability. How can we be sure that we are accomplishing God’s will? How can we ensure that our will is not contrary to God’s will? In my next two points, I hope to propose the dynamics of discernment.
- God’s Will as We Know It. Unfortunately, God’s will for us does not appear on our television screens. I have never had an angel appear to me. I did not become a priest because of the sound of trumpets, a vision, or a dream. In fact, even though, as the angel says to Mary “nothing will be impossible for God” (Lk 1:37), it is unreasonable to expect an angel at every juncture of our lives. Rather, God gives us the ability and the tools necessary to live meaningful lives – lives that correspond to God’s will for us.
- The first and most important tool God has given us is Scripture. From the very first book of the Bible to the very last, we know the reason God created us; we know of the gifts of intellect and free-will that God has given to us; and we know that God created us to be happy and to live in union with God and with fellow human beings. But scripture also reveals all that is contrary to God’s original intention. Adam and Eve, for example, have much to teach us about this.
- The second gift that God has given us is the life of Jesus. Jesus most clearly showed us the way in which human being can not only live meaningful lives, but also live in accord with God’s will. In fact, at Gethsemane, he surrendered his will to God. On the other hand, the events of Jesus’ life also reveal how human beings can thwart God’s will and even become an obstacle for God.
- Third, we have the lives of our predecessors, who are either models or are bad examples of discerning God’s will. Abraham, David, the prophets, John the Baptist, Mary, and Joseph, the magi and the saints are our role models. On the contrary, Cain, the unfaithful kings of Israel, and Herod, and Judas are the people whom we are to refrain from imitating.
- Fourth, we have the teachings of the Church. We believe that the same Holy Spirit that overshadowed Mary (Lk 1:35) continues to overshadow the God’s Church. The teachings of the church too help us to discern the decisions we must make in life. God also speaks to us through one another.
- Fifth, God can make known God’s will for us through our beloved ones, our friends and mentors, and even people we may not like. In fact, to the discerning heart, every experience in life, both positive and negative, can be God’s way of communicating with us.
These are the tools and gifts God has given us to discern God’s will in our lives.
- On Discernment. At the end of our lives, the most meaningful thing we can do is to offer our lives back to God, confident that we have lived it for the purpose for which God created us. It is only partly true that we do not know God’s will. In the four point I mentioned earlier, God has given us the broad principles which we can use to discern the decisions we must make in our lives. In reality, discerning God’s will and attempting to live meaningful lives is about modeling our lives around the person of Jesus. For example, if we do not love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and we do not love each other as Christ has commanded us, we know that our lives are not in accord with God’s will. When we accept a culture of death, of greed, of inequality, of lust, of hate and violence, we know that our lives are not in accord with God’s will. On the contrary, God wills that we live a life characterized by poverty of spirit, mercy, meekness, compassion, faithfulness, gentleness, peace, patience, generosity, and goodness. Discerning God’s will means that the decisions we make about our vocation, our state of life, our family, children, employment, managing our finances, our time, and our talents, or deciding how we vote are guided by God’s will made know in the Scriptures, in Jesus, and in every other way. When we make these important nitty-gritty decisions, all we can do is to ensure that we are working within the broad principles that God has revealed to us. Then using our intellect and our free-will make the best decision and, in faith, believe that we are accomplishing God’s will. If we are indeed on the right track, we will notice that a deep sense of peace will accompany us. This is the surest sign that our decision is in accord with God's will. On the contrary, when we realize that the choices we make in our day-to-day lives violate the broad principles God has placed before us, then we know that our will and God’s will are not in accord. As I say, discernment is to learn to think like Jesus, talk like Jesus, and act like Jesus.
As we receive Christ in this Eucharist, let us pray for the mind and the heart of Christ. As often as we are confronted with life and its complexities, may we be guided by God’s will. Like Mary, may we often say, “May it be done according to your will!” Amen.
- Fr. Satish Joseph