A Few Words On "The Word"

December 23, 2007
The 4th Sunday in Advent, Year A
Matthew 1:18-24

Unbelievable Trust

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Seeing is believing?” You probably have. People often use this phrase when skeptical about something’s existence. Belief is not easy. It’s often hard to understand or believe things that we cannot encounter physically with our senses.

If you’re anything like most teenagers, you probably know a person who claims to be an atheist, someone who does not believe in God. It’s no surprise to see more atheists in today’s society. In a world where scientific proof is valued very highly, some people just can’t find it in them to believe in something they can’t empirically prove.

In reality, belief is just part of the picture. Before believing in God’s existence we need to have faith. Faith helps us to believe in God and all the promises God has made to us. Nonetheless, you and I both know that faith, and the trust that goes along with it, doesn’t always come easy.

On this fourth Sunday of Advent we see Joseph wrestling with his own faith in God. After finding out that Mary is pregnant, Joseph decides to quietly divorce her which is actually a pretty noble thing to do since she would have been stoned to death otherwise. However, God needs Joseph to remember his faith and trust in what God has in store for all of humanity. After realizing what God is doing through Mary, Joseph’s faith inspires him to obey and trust in God.

Faith and trust are powerful words that have a lot to do with God’s promises. We place our hope in God, trusting that what God has promised will be fulfilled. We put our faith in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection even when it’s hard to fully understand how God can become a human and ultimately rise from the dead.

God has given us the promise of salvation that is fulfilled through Jesus’ Incarnation.

If we can place our faith in God, believing in his existence and power, it becomes much easier to believe that God became a human being, died for our sins, and rose to conquer death. Like Joseph, we must actively trust in God’s promises even when things seem hopeless. We must deepen our faith through the arrival of a baby in a manger, realizing that Jesus will indeed change our lives and our world. 

Reflection Question

When has something or someone challenged your faith or beliefs? In what ways did you respond when your faith is tested?

Join us in our Forum to discuss these questions!