Moving forward with God

In today’s reflection on the daily mass readings, Fr Richard considers how God is always calling us to new adventures in his service, and never to stand still

Readings for 20 December: Isaiah 7.10-14; Psalm 24.1-2, 3-4, 5-6; Luke 1.26-38. Text of readings can be found here.

For many of us, the approach of Christmas represents a furious round of activity, with attendance at carol services and parties, Christmas shopping, present wrapping and more besides. Indeed, the busy-ness seems to have been ongoing since mid-November, or even earlier. We might be forgiven for looking forward to the days after Christmas, when we can relax a bit, go for a walk, watch TV and feast on turkey sandwiches!

As much as we might be relishing the prospect of a rest, our readings today remind us that God is continually calling us to act, to take part in his work of renewing the world, and to embark on new adventures in his name. In the reading from Isaiah, God calls Ahaz to act – to ask him for a sign of God’s providence towards the nation of Judah. Ahaz refuses the invitation, so God acts anyway – giving the sign of a virgin conceiving and bearing a son who will be called Emmanuel.

In the famous Gospel reading of the Annunciation, God through the angel calls Mary to co-operate in his plan for the salvation of the world. She is invited to embark on the incredible adventure of becoming the mother of his only Son. Despite the uncertainties, unlike Ahaz she accepts the invitation without hesitation.

Perhaps we will have the chance to stand still for a while after Christmas. But God never calls us to stand still in our life of discipleship. As with Ahaz, as with Mary, he is continually inviting us to do something new in his service, to make our contribution to advancing his kingdom here on earth. As we prepare once again to celebrate the joy of the Saviour’s birth, let us also pray for the grace and courage to say “yes” to God and willingly go where he is leading us.

Mass today is at 11.30am in St Mary’s.

If you’d like more resources for daily prayer then check out our Day By Day pages.