Homily 475 | Advent Week 4 | Year B
I like to make plans, to set goals and calculate the steps that it will take to reach those goals. But it’s also good, at times, to be more spontaneous and open. God might have something else in mind. This is a key lesson in today’s readings.
David, Mary, and Joseph all have plans. And they are good plans! They want to serve God and do what he wants. David wants to build a house for God. Mary wants to remain a virgin and be totally consecrated to God. Joseph plans to take care of Mary as her husband. All good plans. But in each case, God breaks in and plans change.
However, as we see in our readings, when God changes our plans, his plans are always way bigger and better. In fact, we could never even dream or what God actually has planned. God sees the entire big picture where our focus is rather small.
Many times in life we experience disappointment when things don’t work out as we planned. Maybe there’s an unexpected death or illness, loss of a job, end of an important relationship. Whatever it is, it can be scary and upsetting and sometimes can leave us feeling hopeless. The good news of today’s readings is that always has something way bigger in mind, no matter what has happened. If we really understand this, we can even grow to appreciate when things seem to go awry and plans change.