On this Fourth Sunday of Advent, the scriptures show us two different individuals with two different responses to the voice of God.

King Ahaz, a descendent of David, king of Judah is facing a life and death situation both for his kingdom and his kingship. The Lord, through the prophet Isaiah, commanded Ahaz to ask for a sign, “deep as the nether world, or high as the sky.” But Ahaz refuses to ask, pleading in false humility that he will not “tempt” the Lord. Does he fear the sign? He already had a plan to deal with the problems at hand by aligning himself with the princes who promised him safety. Politically this might make a lot of sense. But it is shortsighted and lacked wisdom. Regardless, the prophet pronounces a promise of salvation for him and his kingdom for the long term. By the time that one of Ahaz’s consorts gives birth to a child he will still be king, and Judah will be saved. His allies will prove to be powerless. Ahaz’s hopes were misplaced.

In today’s gospel another descendant of David, Joseph is facing a perplexing, disastrous situation. Betrothed to a woman who now is found to be pregnant and he knows he is not the father, what is a descent, upright man to do? He thinks he knows.  He will go for a quiet divorce. He will save face and she will be safe somewhere. This is his sensible up-front solution. But Joseph experiences his “annunciation.” The Lord sends an angel to Joseph in a dream who reveals God’s plan to him. Trust the message and the messenger?  He is entrusted to take care of this woman and her unborn child and to name him thus presenting himself as his father. He trusts God’s message and messenger.

These two stories tell me something about the disposition needed to be attentive to God’s desire for me. If I am fearful, trusting on my own authority and lacking a wider vision I may not want to hear the message. Being open to God’s desire for me is about discerning the message and knowing about the messenger. Does it align with not being fearful, being joyful and addressing the needs of others? Does it consider the short- and long-term concerns? Does it have a more loving impact for me and others?

Sometimes like Ahaz, I want to second guess God’s desires for me because maybe it was not what I had planned. But my prayer is to be like Joseph paying faithful attention to the good news that the messenger brings because my plans may just be too small.