LOOKING FOR A SIGN

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily is, “Looking for a Sign.”

I think that theme can sum up today’s readings, as well as sum up this moment – Christmas is almost here. I’m not worried about repeating myself because I don’t have to come up with another homily for Christmas – less than two days away. For the past dozen or so years I write a story for Christmas – instead of a homily.

So for this 4th Sunday of Advent, a homily on the theme: “Looking for a Sign.”

TO BE HUMAN

To be human is to look for signs.

Kids have been looking at presents in the corner or hidden in the closet – looking at the size of the box – wondering what’s behind that wrapping – shaking them – and some surely try to peal away the tape to get a peek at what’s inside.

To be human is to look for signs.

Parents look for signs that their new born baby is okay – normal – healthy – has 10 fingers and 10 toes.

Parents look for signs that their kids are moving along the right way – so that’s why we celebrate that first smile, that first roll over, that first word, that first step.

Parents look for signs that their kids are doing well in school – that they are athletic or artistic or can get A’s – or are happy, joyful, wonderful – but you better be hardworking if you’re a B student – and if a kid is autistic – that they get the best care possible for their child.

Parents look for signs that their teenagers are hanging out with the right kids – doing the right things, etc.

Parents look for signs that their teenager can handle a car okay.

Parents better be looking for signs from their kids!

Parents look for signs that this person their college or post college kid is serious with – is the right spouse for their child.

When married kids drop in or are dropped into for Christmas, their parents are looking for signs all is well.

Husbands and wives look for signs – consciously and unconsciously – all the time – that things are good, better and best in their relationship.

Husbands and wives get nervous when their parents look like they are slipping – and they wonder about their driving – their forgetting things, etc.

Men worry about prostate and women about lumps, etc. etc. etc.

When someone is sick, we look for signs they are getting better.

Our reporters, our talk show folks, our pollsters, are looking for signs who’s going to win in Iowa and New Hampshire – and then in all the states that follow – and the rest of us are looking for signs that it’s going to end.

Retailers are looking for signs how the economy is going – whether there is a recession going on or about to happen or what have you.

We look for signs of peace for our world.

We look at the weather report for December 25th. Some hope for a white Christmas – while others hope for a dry, clear, blue skies, good driving weather Christmas.

To be human is to look for signs.

TODAY’S FIRST READING

Today’s first reading from Isaiah – whom we heard from every Sunday this Advent, takes place roughly between 750 and 700 B.C.

Isaiah, the Prophet, is trying to convince Ahaz, the King of Judah – southern Israel, – not to enter into an alliance with Assyria – who’s leader is the powerful king. Tiglath-Pileser III. I love that name.

In the meanwhile Ahaz is being attacked by the tribe of Ephraim and Syria or Aram. So war is going on – and he needs to make an alliance. He looks around and it hits him to reach out to Assyria.

Isaiah asks him not to do this.

He won’t listen to Isaiah. He won’t ask God for a sign to indicate that Isaiah is correct.

So Isaiah says, “The Lord will give you a sign: the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.”

In the Hebrew text, there is a word, “ha alma”. The translation you heard this morning translates it into English as “virgin”. The normal word for “virgin” is “betula” – but that is not the word used in the Hebrew text. Well, according to some scholars the better translation for “ha alma” would be “young woman”.

Some scholars think it refers to King Ahaz’s wife. Isaiah promises Ahaz, if he follows his advice, his wife will get pregnant – and your dynasty will be preserved. The Davidic dynasty, the House of David will continue.

Obviously, when wars are going on – and they always seem to be going on in Israel and Palestine – people are always looking for signs.

Aren’t we all looking for signs in Iraq that the Sunni’s and Shiites will work this out. Aren’t we looking for signs that Al Qaeda is lessening?

TODAY’S GOSPEL

Matthew in today’s gospel takes that text from Isaiah and applies it to Jesus.

Maybe that’s the reason they translated the Isaiah text we heard this morning using the word “virgin” instead of young woman.

Notice he let’s us know that Joseph is also from the House of David.

Notice Jesus is born in the town of David – Bethlehem.

Notice that Matthew is telling us that Jesus is a sign from God – a sign that things are about to change – that Jesus is Emmanuel – God with us.

LOOKING FOR SIGNS FROM GOD

To be human is to look for signs from God.

If there is a television news report that Mary has appeared in southern New Mexico or southern Italy or southern Belarus or southern Argentina, some people would be buying tickets immediately to get there as soon as possible.

To be human is to look for signs from God.

IN CONCLUSION
People hearing a sermon look for signs when the sermon is going to end. That’s why I like to say, “In conclusion”.

However, as we all know, speakers and preachers might say “in conclusion”, but it might not happen. They might just be warming up – and take forever to get to their real conclusion – which is what I am going to do right now. Sorry.

The Christmas message is that Jesus has already appeared - being born in Southern Israel – Bethlehem.

Christmas is the great sign from God.

That’s the message of the gospels.

That’s the message of Saint Paul’s letter to the Romans – which is today’s second reading.

This past year several books came out – announcing there is no God.

This Christmas and every Christmas – as well as the millions of people who go to Mass – every Sunday – are announcing that there is a God.

And we all know Christmas means Christ mass – no wonder most Catholics go to Mass at least once a year: Christmas.

Who but God could up with the idea that his son is present in the bread and the wine – in hopes not only of nourishing us each Mass – but also to remind us to eat together – and be in communion with each other.

Who but God would come up with such a story: a young girl in one of the smallest villages in Israel, some 2000 years ago, becomes pregnant – without a male? Angels talk to her and Joseph. And then just before she’s to have the baby, Joseph has to get to Bethlehem for a census, etc.

Why did God decide to come as a baby?

We all know that everyone is comfortable with babies.
We all know that babies stop us in our tracks.

We know that babies reach out to the good, the bad, and the ugly.

We all remember Marlo Brando in Godfather I and the scene with his little grandson in the garden. Here is this godfather grandfather who had to kick and kill and connive to get to the top – being a little kid again

Remember the scene in the 1987 movie, “The Untouchables” when a lady with the baby carriage is on the stairs. It’s the wrong place at the wrong time – but somehow we know everything is going to work out – even if bullets are flying – and she let’s go of the baby carriage. Andy Garcia runs and slides under the baby carriage and throws a gun to Kevin Costner – at the same time and saves, mother, baby, and the situation – and the bad guys lose.

Those who have already have had the birth of the Christ Child in the manger of their heart know things are going to work out – because they have hoped in Christ – and grown in Christ – through the years.

Jesus is the great sign we’re looking for. Amen.

We who follow Christ are the sign people are looking for. Amen.

[Now that took 7 and a half minutes! Not too bad.]