Word Wide Open: The Fourth Sunday of Advent (A) - 12/18/22

First Reading (Isaiah 7:10-14)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying: 

Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God; 

let it be deep as the netherworld, or high as the sky!

But Ahaz answered,

"I will not ask!  I will not tempt the LORD!"

Then Isaiah said:

Listen, O house of David!

Is it not enough for you to weary people, 

must you also weary my God?

Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: 

the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, 

and shall name him Emmanuel.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? In what ways do we tempt or test the Lord?

Second Reading (Romans 1:1-7)

A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans. 

Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus,

called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God,

which he promised previously through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,

the gospel about his Son, descended from David according to the flesh, 

but established as Son of God in power 

according to the Spirit of holiness 

through resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Through him we have received the grace of apostleship, 

to bring about the obedience of faith,

for the sake of his name, among all the Gentiles,

among whom are you also, who are called to belong to Jesus Christ;

to all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? What is the obedience of faith? How are we called to the grace of apostleship?

Gospel (Matthew 11:2-11)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.

When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, 

but before they lived together, 

she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.

Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,

yet unwilling to expose her to shame, 

decided to divorce her quietly.

Such was his intention when, behold,

the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 

"Joseph, son of David, 

do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.

For it is through the Holy Spirit 

that this child has been conceived in her.

She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, 

because he will save his people from their sins."

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall name him Emmanuel, 

which means "God is with us."

When Joseph awoke,

he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him 

and took his wife into his home.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? Why is it so easy to be afraid of the things God asks us to do? How can we be obedient to God like Joseph?