Scripture Reflection, December 21:Intersecting Plans

Scripture Readings:
II Samuel 7: 1-5, 8-12, 14-16
Psalm 89
Romans 16: 25-27
Luke 1: 26-38

Several years after I was ordained a priest, I was asked to officiate at the wedding of a woman whom I had dated in high school. I had had a real “crush” on this girl in high school and had asked her out on many dates. During the weeks before the wedding my four older sisters, each of whom knew this woman, found it quite amusing that I was going to be the priest who witnessed her marriage. They took great delight in this turn of events, and I took plenty of ribbing from them. Well, the wedding turned out to be a lovely celebration for two fine people. This couple now has a daughter, and I remain friends with them to this day. But I do remember that as I was standing at the altar at the wedding, waiting for the bride to come down the aisle, I thought to myself, “I would never have imagined that it would turn out like this. God must have a real sense of humor!”

Often things work out differently than we had planned. In our Scripture readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we listen to what happens when God’s plans intersect with human plans. David has a definite plan in mind. He has won many victories over his enemies, has conquered Jerusalem and established it as his capital city. Now he announces his intention to build a house for the Lord God, a temple to house the sacred Ark of the Covenant – the symbol of God’s living presence among his people. This certainly sounds like a well-conceived plan, and the prophet Nathan initially gives his approval. But then Nathan receives another word from God, a message about God’s plans that puts everything into perspective. The prophet’s words invite David to reflect on what has taken place in his life. He is called to remember that it was God who graciously took the initiative to call him and to guide him along the way. God has been faithfully present to him and active in his life, bringing him to the place he is today. And David is promised that God’s plans transcend anything David could conceive. God’s intentions go far beyond the construction of a sacred building. God has in mind a dynasty, a royal family for Israel to be led by the descendants of David. Though David had planned to do something grand for God, it was God who did something even more auspicious for David and for his people.

Looking through the lens of faith in Christ, Luke’s account of the annunciation to Mary represents the fulfillment of the promises made to David centuries earlier. And this poignant story, too, is an account of the intersection of human intentions and the providence of God. Mary was a young Jewish woman living in a tiny village. Espoused to Joseph probably as a teenager, she undoubtedly had plans for her life. We can only imagine the plans that Mary and Joseph must have had for their future life together, plans about the family they would have, where they would live and how they would make a living, and the prospect of growing old and being grandparents.

In her mysterious encounter with the messenger of God, a moment unparalleled in human history, Mary is asked to become a unique part of God’s plans for his people. The gospel tells us that she was “greatly troubled.” This may be putting it mildly; she was probably overwhelmed by this encounter. In her turmoil she must have been frightened by what it might mean for her future and that of Joseph. The people in her tiny village would certain “talk,” especially when the child was born sooner than they thought it was supposed to be. Still, Mary utters her “yes” to God. As the Opening Prayer for this Sunday’s liturgy says, Mary placed her life at the service of God’s plan. Mary’s greatness is found in her courageous trust in God’s word and her willingness to become a bearer of God’s plans to reach out to his people in saving mercy.

Life does not always work out according to our plans. Even in our daily activities, it is often through the experience of “interruptions” that we encounter the presence of the living God in a powerful way. It may be the telephone call that comes out of the blue; the person who just happens to stop by, unannounced; the poor person we meet on the street; the teenage sibling or child who all of a sudden begins to tell us something important about what is happening in his or her life. These disturbances, these interruptions, often become memorable moments of grace.

How then, do we become more attuned to the mysterious plans of God? Christmas is often associated with action, and that is certainly important. We are inspired to do more for others – to give generously to those in need, to visit relatives and friends, to trim the tree and bake the Christmas cookies, etc. And all of that is essential to our celebration of Christmas. But the mystery of Christmas also invites us to deepen the contemplative dimension of our lives – to learn how to be with God. You and I are invited to make time for prayer and reflection, so that we can become more attuned to God’s word in our lives.

There is no magic formula for knowing God’s will in our lives. It would be a lot easier if God just sent us email messages or had his own page on Facebook. But there are tried and true ways of discerning God’s will. These include: listening to and praying with the Scriptures; meeting with a spiritual director; becoming more familiar with the rich spiritual tradition of the Church; and, especially, taking time regularly to talk with God about our lives – speaking with God about everything that is going on in our lives, including the plans we have made. That honest, forthright conversation with the Lord should also include time for quiet listening, attuning ourselves to the many ways in which God may speak to us. God may speak by giving us a sense of direction that we need to take in an important decision. God may speak simply through a good idea or insight. God speaks through the words of other people and through specific events. Often God speaks simply through a sense of peace and consolation that his presence brings to us, even in moments of external turmoil. All of us are busy people, and there are a thousand reasons not to take time for prayer. But spending time regularly to speak and to listen to God enables us, like Mary, to place our lives more fully at the service of God’s plan. And the more we practice this communication with God, the more we want to engage in it. It becomes our greatest source of strength, the true nourishment for our daily lives.

God’s plans are always designs for the life and salvation of people. Sometimes, like Mary, we have to be willing to have our own plans altered in order for God to act in and through our lives. When we are so willing, when we can utter our “yes” to God, we experience anew God’s faithful, enduring love for us.

Fr. Robin Ryan, cp