HE IS IMMANUEL, THAT IS “GOD-IS-WITH-US”

IV SUNDAY OF ADVENT - Romans 1:1-7

Paul begins his letter to the Romans by presenting himself with three titles: “servant of Christ Jesus”, “called to be an apostle”, and “chosen to preach the Good News”. So he is a servant, an apostle and a preacher. What is he preaching? What is the Good News that he proclaims? The Good News announced by Paul is about the Son of God, that is Jesus Christ, who, according to human nature, is a descendant of David and, according to the Spirit, is the Son of God, which is testified by his resurrection. It is through Jesus Christ that Paul received his apostolic mission to lead all nations to obedience to Jesus Christ. All of us are called to be saints.

Jesus Christ, the Saviour, is the Son of God. He is Immanuel, that is “God-is-with-us”, He came to fulfil the promise made in Prophet Isaiah and that fulfilment is presented in the Gospel. In this Sunday’s gospel, our eyes are turned to Joseph, who was engaged to Mary of Nazareth. The passage presents a catechetical lesson about the incarnation of the Son of God, leaving it clear that Jesus is that Son. Through Joseph, he belongs to the family of David, but he is generated through the power of God. Like the first Adam, this second one is a fruit of the Spirit. With Adam, God used the dust of the ground, with Jesus, God used the womb of Mary to bring forth the Saviour. 

We must look at Joseph and learn from him. He was honest and sincere, more preoccupied with his fiancé’s good than with his honour. Being pure of heart, God became his refuge, protecting him and entrusting to him the guardianship of Jesus, the Son of God.