SOCL, Advent4A

Sunday December 21, 2025

See

Joseph planned an exit strategy. A good man crafting the kindest possible ending—proving that even our noblest intentions can be forms of self-protection. He'd mapped the escape route, calculated the social costs, chosen mercy over scandal. Then a dream dismantled everything.

Here's the pattern we'd rather not admit: we construct elaborate rationales for our retreats. We call it prudence when it's often just fear wearing better clothes. Joseph's righteousness almost became his limitation—until divine interruption showed him that true integrity sometimes means embracing what terrifies us, not engineering our way around it.

The angel didn't remove the scandal or simplify the impossible situation. The command was simpler and harder: stay. Stop solving. Stop managing optics. Take the risk that looks like ruin. Sometimes our most righteous plans are just sophisticated forms of running away, and the invitation to fuller life arrives precisely when we're backing toward the door.

Listen

Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 24 (23); Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24

Reflect

(Matthew 1:18-24)

-Think about a situation you're currently trying to manage or control—perhaps a relationship that feels complicated, a responsibility that overwhelms you, or a future you're anxiously planning. What would it mean to stop engineering the perfect outcome and simply stay present to what's actually unfolding before you?

-Joseph's dream didn't make things easier; it made them possible. Jesus consistently taught that the kingdom comes not through careful calculation but through radical trust. How might your current struggle be less about finding the right solution and more about developing the courage to remain engaged when every instinct tells you to retreat?

-Consider where fear masquerades as wisdom in your life—where you've dressed up avoidance in the language of prudence or responsibility. What would change if you recognized that the thing you're most afraid of might actually be the doorway to a fuller version of yourself? How might staying with difficulty transform both you and your circumstances?

Pray

God of Impossible Beginnings, you enter our lives when we're planning exits. Break through our reasonable defenses and well-intentioned retreats. Give us courage to stay when wisdom says run, to embrace what terrifies when prudence counsels distance. Transform our communities where fear governs decision-making, our institutions where self-protection masquerades as righteousness. Make us brave enough to let you interrupt our best-laid plans.

The Word today, Advent4A

December 22 - December 27, 2025

Monday 22 December

1 Samuel 1:24-28 Hannah very much wanted to have a baby and, after the child’s birth, sang a great song of thanksgiving. Hannah’s song was the inspiration behind Mary’s song of thanksgiving, the Magnificat, in Luke’s Gospel.

Luke 1:46-56 Our responsorial “psalm”—the Song of Hannah—closely resembles the prayer of Mary in the Magnificat. Although this purports to be the meeting of the two pregnant cousins, very little is said of the children to come and instead we hear a great deal about social upheaval and political reversal.

Tuesday 23 December

St John of Kęty, Priest

Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24 To music lovers, this reading will sound familiar, from Handel’s Messiah. Malachi says that a figure like Elijah will usher in the end. This was taken to be John the Baptist who ushered in, so to speak, the Messiah and the messianic age.

Luke 1:57-66 The birth of John is told to lay the foundation for the similar yet significantly different story of the birth of Jesus. Both come as the result of a promise. On both occasions, there is “treasuring in the heart.” Both children will enjoy the blessing of God. And yet, one is the forerunner and the other is the Christ.

Wednesday 24 December

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16 Anyone who comes to Mass on this morning will hear a striking reading from 2 Samuel 7: in reality one of the key texts in the OT. It portrays the fidelity of God as seen in God’s loyalty to David and his house. It makes for a great final reflection as we come to mark the birth of Jesus, the son of David, in whom all of God’s faithfulness came to be for us.

There is some word play in today’s reading: house means temple, residence and family line. Even in Nathan’s correction of David, a tremendous promise of God’s faithful through time comes to expression.

Luke 1:67-79 The Benedictus takes up the theme of the House of David and goes on to praise God who is now fulfilling in John and in Jesus his promises of old. The future role of John the Baptist is hauntingly evoked: to prepare the way for him, to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins; this by the tender mercy of our God.

Thursday 25 December

Friday 26 December

St Stephen, the first martyr

Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59 The author of Acts devotes a great deal of space to the story of Stephen’s death, much too long to read at Mass. The excerpted reading gives us the motivation for killing him and then moves immediately to his death. The aware bible reader will hear distinct echoes of the death of Jesus in Luke’s Gospel. In this way, Luke reminds us that the disciple is not greater than the master.

A disciple is not above the teacher, but every disciple who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. (Luke 6:40)

Jesus was a prophet and suffered for his witness — his calling and his destiny are ours too.

Matthew 10:17-22 This remarkable passage — based on Mark but also in Luke — cannot really come from the historical Jesus but seems to be, instead, a reflection on the experience of the early church. Given the way in which Stephen was inspired by the Spirit, this is a wholly suitable reading for the day.

Saturday 27 December

St John, apostle and evangelist.

1 John 1:1-4 The first letter of John, written later in response to a new crisis, does not come from the evangelist but the later school, mentioned above. Our passage is an appeal to tradition (it echoes John 1:1-18) and experience (heard, seen, watched, touched). Given the critical context, the insistence upon joy is noteworthy.

John 20:2-8 We hear a part of a much longer scene in John 20, excerpted to profile the Beloved Disciple. This figure is partly historical and partly symbolic. He gets to the tomb first, precept because he is beloved. Likewise, it is the charismatic which counts and therefore “he saw and he believed.” The institution takes you only so far!

Reference

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025dd, December 21). Fourth Sunday of Advent. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122125.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings

One another, Advent4A

December 21, 2025

Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 24 (23); Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24

Brothers and sisters, as we joyfully await the glorious coming of the Christ, let us pray for the needs of the church, our community, and the world:

For the Church: that we, like Joseph, may wholeheartedly live our faith traditions and yet remain open to the mystery of God's unconventional work in our lives and in the world around us: let us pray to the Lord.

For the gift of wisdom: that like Mary, we may perceive the invitation of God in the strange and sometimes unreasonable situations into which God calls us: let us pray to the Lord.

For a deepening of faith: that through the mystery of Jesus becoming human, we may open ourselves to a fuller sharing in the divine life: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are busily preparing for Christmas: that the Holy Spirit will help us to stay aware of whose life we celebrate and to show Christ’s love in all our interactions: let us pray to the Lord.

For renewed awareness: that we may honor the gift of life that God has given to each person and honor God by respecting everyone whom we encounter: let us pray to the Lord.

For freedom from judging others: that like Joseph, we may hold our judgments so that the work of God may unfold in the hearts and lives of those who are dear to us: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are awaiting the birth of a child or who are new parents: that they may recognize God’s presence in their child and nurture the gift of life entrusted to their care: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are having an unplanned pregnancy: that they may honor the gift of life entrusted to them and draw strength from God to love and nurture their child: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are caught by consumerism: that God will free their minds and hearts so that they may hear God’s call and choose the greater good in their use of their time and resources: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are away from home during these weeks: that God will guide, protect, and reunite missionaries, relief workers, members of the military, and healthcare providers with their families and loved ones in the New Year: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are suffering for their faith, particularly Christians in the Middle East and East Africa: that God will heal those who have been wounded, give strength to those living their faith, and turn the hearts of oppressors toward coexistence: let us pray to the Lord.

For reconciliation within families: that in our celebrations of God being with us, we may forgive past hurts and strive to renew relationships in our families: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who will be traveling this week: that their journeys may be safe and their visits with friends and loved ones be renewing and refreshing: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are burdened by poverty and for those who seek to assist them: that God will open new ways to meet their needs and bring them hope and courage: let us pray to the Lord.

For peace: that the coming of the Prince of Peace may bring healing and safety to those impacted by domestic violence, civil unrest, immigration issues, or warfare: let us pray to the Lord.

God of promise, you have given us a sign of your love through the gift of Jesus Christ, our Savior, who was promised from ages past. We believe as Joseph did the message of your presence whispered by an angel, and offer our prayers for your world, confident of your care and mercy for all creation. Amen.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025dd, December 21). Fourth Sunday of Advent. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122125.cfm

-Cormier, J. (1995). Lord, Hear Our Prayer: Prayer of the Faithful for Sundays, Holy Days, and Ritual Masses.