8 April 2013 - inspired questions

8 April 2013 - inspired questions

But Ahaz answered,
“I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!”

Ahaz will not ask the LORD for a sign because he doesn't really trust the LORD.  He thinks he is trying to trick him into asking something which he should not.  Sometimes we do ask for signs in a way that is selfish.  We ask when we don't really need them.  We basically want to be entertained.  But this is not always the case.  Sometimes the LORD intends to build us up with a sign as he does with Ahaz.


Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:
the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son,
and shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us!”

He wants Ahaz to have agency in the salvation of the world by asking for the sign which brings it about.  But even though Ahaz doesn't trust as much as he should he is nevertheless blessed with the sign which the LORD intends.  

Ahaz fails in a way that is typical of us as fallen creatures.  As the Catechism tells us, "[m]an, tempted by the devil, let his trust in his Creator die in his heart and, abusing his freedom, disobeyed God's command." (CCC 397)

What the psalmist sings is therefore merely prophetic until the time comes and God sends his son to make all things new.


To do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!”

Mary is the first person in the whole history of humanity to be able to pray this psalm with all sincerity. It is implicit in her response to the angel.


Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”

This perfect obedience to God's will is perfectly fulfilled in Jesus on the cross.  Only Jesus has the power not just to obey perfectly but to offer all of us along with himself when we are still not only powerless but full of resistance and sin.  


Then he says, “Behold, I come to do your will.”
He takes away the first to establish the second.
By this “will,” we have been consecrated
through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all.




His offering consecrates all of our wills, empowering us to delight in God's will too.  And so let us share in the thanksgiving of the psalmist.


Your justice I kept not hid within my heart;
your faithfulness and your salvation I have spoken of;
I have made no secret of your kindness and your truth
in the vast assembly.