MY “YES” + YOUR “YES” = OUR “YES”
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Matthew 1:18–24
“When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home."
Ever since I was a little girl I too wanted to say yes to God! Indeed, when I was in fourth grade, I remember taking the name "Mary" for my confirmation. I wanted to say "Yes!" just like she did to whatever God asked. But HOW does that happen? Haven't I had many, many people in my own life who have helped me to understand what this means as well as how to live it out?
Let's see… My mom and dad and the sisters at school taught me how to pray. My sister taught me how to be generous with my time and energy. My brother taught me how to be curious and ask questions. My teachers taught me a lot about how to study. My friends taught me how to focus on others rather than myself. My bowling teammates taught me how to work together with other people. I would say, "it does take a village to raise a child!" It was quite an interdependent endeavor.
Everyone focuses on Mary's yes to God in the Annunciation. And, don't get me wrong, it was an incredibly important moment in salvation history! But, what about Joseph's yes which empowered Mary's yes to become reality? Indeed, without his yes, her yes would've been impossible to live out, especially given their time and culture.
Today I want to give thanks for all the Joseph's in my life who have empowered me to say my yes to God more deeply.
Ponder… How have the yeses of others enabled me to say yes to God? How does my yes empower others to say yes to God?
Pray… "We are here to awaken from the illusion of our separateness. " --Thich Nhat Hanh
Kindle The Fire : Advent Preaching By Dominican Women Afire