Readings and meditation on the Word of God on the fourth Sunday of Advent, December 21, 2025

Delivered by Reinaldy, Johana, Dwi Setyo, and Maria Delie from the Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. Isaiah 7: 10-14; Rs psalm 24: 1-2.3-4ab.5-6; Romans 1: 1-7; Matthew 1: 18-24.FOR THE SAKE OFGREATER IMPORTANCE The title for ourmeditation on this fourth Sunday of Advent is: For the Sake of GreaterImportance. A group of students discussed the place where they can do theirsocial service as a form of Christmas and New Year's action. They also consideredthe people to be the target of their service. All considerations of personalinterest were avoided so that the decision they made was truly for the needs ofmany people. A 5th grade boy ofelementary school opened all his savings for one year. The savings are theresult of collection of his pocket money and gifts he has received but he didnot use them. Then he spent all of his savings to buy Christmas and New Yeargifts, then he plans to offer them to an orphanage near his home, an orphanageunder the religious umbrella that is different from his Catholic religion. He issatisfied and happy because he does an act of love for others. These two truestories are the examples of reflection about self-renunciation. The theologicalterm for this we often say is incarnation. Actually the reason for an act ofrenunciation is for the sake of certain greater importance. The logic of thiswould be the following: any personal or smaller interest must be sacrificed,because there is other greater interest to be fulfilled. In the fulfillment of onegreater interest, personal interest is actually also fulfilled. The true  and genuine renunciation is made by God byleaving His place in heaven and becoming human. If God is only for Himself, Heshould just live in heaven and not to come to the world for the greater benefitwhich is our salvation. King Ahaz in the first reading understood well thistruth of renunciation. Therefore he refused to ask for something special givento him by God. He let God alone reveal His will, that is for the sake ofgreater importance. This importance isthat Jesus is born into the world for the salvation of the whole world and allmankind. He is indeed referred to by the scriptures as a descendant of David,but He does not belong to David and his whole family only. He is the God forall people and all creation. Joseph, engaged to Mary, also sacrificed his owninterests, namely shame, pride and anger. He just wanted to divorce Mary. Butbecause of a greater importance, namely God's will, he obeyed and he was happywith his attitude and decision. The truth for us shouldbe this: by obeying the will of the Lord, we actually act for the sake ofgreater importance.Let's pray. In the name of theFather... O tender and loving God, may this 4th Sunday of Advent celebrationcomplete our joy for the Christmas that soon to come. Our Father who art inheaven ... In the name of the Father...