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4th Sunday of Advent Year C - 22/12/2012 - Gospel: Lk 1: 39-45
Surrender your will
The National Rifle Association and gun lovers in the US may argue that individuals need arm for personal security and protection. The argument may sound true for some but it also proves fatal for the public when an individual isn't in control of their anger or not of sound mind. The recent horrible lost of innocent lives in the Newtown, Connecticut, US tells it all- 24 massacres in the past seven years. The paradox is that some rights some adults claim to have actually harmed others, especially children who are unable to protect themselves. To protect children from harm is our responsibility and the right to possess arms weakens the protection of innocent children. We need to surrender some of our individual rights to better serve the public and the safety of people of all ages. To surrender your will for a good cause is not something news but it has its' root in the biblical context. People came to ask John the Baptist 'what must they do?' and his answer was to tell them that when they surrender of their own will they will serve the public better. Actually, John himself gave up everything for the Lord. He told his disciples that

This is how my own happiness is made complete He must become more important while I become less important Jn 3,30

Jesus himself chose to do the will of the Father instead of His own.

I have come down from heaven to do not my own will but the will of Him who sent me that I should not lose any of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up to life on the last day Jn 6,38

Mary was the same, she chose to do God's will rather than of her own. When the angel proposed to her to be the Mother of God Mary didn't understand but she replied

I am the Lord's servant. May it happen to me as you have said Lk 1,38

Giving up of one's own will for a good cause will help to serve the people of God better. John the Baptist is very clear in his teaching. There is no confusion. 
 
I am a voice in the wilderness, preparing the way for the Lord. He is the forerunner for the Messiah.

Mary gave up her own will to follow God and she became the most blessed among women.

Of all women you are the most blessed, ad blessed is the fruit of your womb Lk 1, 42

John the Baptist, Mary and Jesus surrendered their own wills to God and that made them great in the history of salvation. Jesus submitted himself to the will of God the Father at the very moment He accepted to come into the world to be a human being like us in all things, except sin. He chose to be born into the wilderness and amongst the poorest of all the poor and that is the history of Christmas that we are going to celebrate. Without surrender of His will there would be no Christmas.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas.

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