4th week of Advent

This year's christmas eve falls on a Sunday. It is also the 4th week of Advent with the theme, "love". I remembered counting the weeks of Advent when it started and asking Dearie about this year's dates. Coz it seemed very close to Christmas and there was at least a day's spiritual preparation after the 4th week of Advent before the coming of Christmas in the past year..

We attended mass @ SFX. In the 2nd reading, Heb 10:5-10, this part striked me:
"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."

Was "the first" mentioned was with reference to the old testament and "the second" the new testament? People were concerned with living the laws and rules until the coming of Jesus. In Jesus' many encounters with the people, his 'out of the norm' ways of living such as befriending tax collectors took many people aback. What Jesus exemplified was that God's kingdom is open to all, despite their backgrounds. It does not mean that for example, the rich or the scholarly would definitely get a path carved out unquestionably to God's kingdom. In this respect, it is a timely reminder for me, at the very least, to be more humble and open to hearing what others say.

In his homily, Father Anthony emphasized some keywords:
'God's plan' - yes, God had a plan for everyone of us
'Messiah' - none other than Jesus
'convenant' - this related to the first keyword on 'God's plan'. God gave a commitment for our salvation.

All this would not be possible, had Mary not said "yes" to Lord to be the mother of Jesus. It would also be more difficult, had Joseph not said "yes" to accepting his betrothed, Mary, and for being the father of Jesus. This reminds me of the famous verse, "Let it be done to me according to your will".