It is 18th December 2018. The readings are from Jeremiah 23:5-8; and the Gospel from Matthew 1:18-24. God always takes initiatives in providing a passage of hope and peace through some extraordinary people and occasions. However simple we are, we all have the privilege to enjoy the reign of God through some virtuous and God-fearing people. There are also leaders still among us who still like leach living on the skin of the poor and the needy. Every leader comes to lead the people with God’s blessings. As times go by, they begin to believe in their own power, money and influence, and oppressing tactics unleashed on the poor and the innocent; they gradually move away from God and become sinful, selfish and greedy persons with the evil rule of their own with a group of people to support. God promises the people of Israel in the first reading through the prophet Jeremiah that God would give a king and God would reign over God’s people through a virtuous king like David from whom the Messiah the uncorrupted and the righteous Saviour would come. God’s own characteristics of being wise, honest and just to all people in offering peace and justice impartially will be found in him. Such a human king would represent God in truth and love. “And this is the name he will be called: The Lord-our-integrity.” (Jer.23:6). Like God, he will be righteous and truthful. God will deal with the corrupt leaders by the power and arrival of the perfect and impeccable king, the Messiah. David’s fallen dynasty would bring about the righteous king. If people are going after false prophecies, and lying prophets, then the leaders and the people will have no fear of God and not willing to be corrected by any God-fearing and holy leaders. These arrogant, greedy, self-serving and self-enriching so called prophets and messengers of God mislead the audience with the subtle messages of living a free and justified lying lives. Most of their principles are opposed to integrity and justice of God. During this Advent, God promises us that we who have become tired of such leaders whether they spiritual and political, God assures through the prophet to accept the Messiah as a new ruler who would lead us all God with His love, sacrifice and mercy. The responsorial Psalm praises, “In his days justice shall flourish and peace till moon fails”. (Ps.71;7). The Gospel presents us with the annunciation of Joseph. The fiat of Joseph is the one that we are invited to have it in our lives. Even though it was a tough call to make for Joseph to accept Mary as his wife, yet he chose to obey God and allowed God to lead his life. He was guided by the Holy Spirit with four admirable qualities, we all need to imbibe in our lives during and after the Advent. He was a righteous, sensitive, responsive to God and self-disciplined man. May the Lord give us courage to allow God to lead us and may we trust God in dilemma, confusion and situation that involve difficult choices. May you have a good day. God bless you.

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