Coincidence or Fate?

“What a coincidence!” – this is a phrase familiar to all of us.

An unexpected encounter, an unplanned coming together of fortunate, or unfortunate, events. On the other hand, as baptized and confirmed Christians, we hold a different conviction: “There are no coincidences in life!” Everything has its divine order and meaning.

Let us reflect on the word coincidence. In German the word is “Zufall”. Zufall refers to something that falls to us, something that is given or happens to us.

But from where or from whom, from what does it fall?

Many people believe that everything is governed fromfate, an anonymous, impersonal “force,” often perceived as blind fate. As a result, people feel that they are at the mercy of this “fate”- helpless and threatened. There seems to be no meaning in what happens to them or the event in one’s life. The loss of a child, an attack on people visiting a Christmas market, lives tragically lost. Is it coincidence? Is it fate?

There remains an emptiness, where all attempts to find meaning or comfort, fall short. And yet, in a heart that hopes and believes, a faint voice rises out from the darkness, like a small flame struggling to shine its light.

In the silence of a reflective heart, this voice can be heard: “You are not alone — in the coincidences of your life, someone is accompanying you. Behind these events in your life stands an understanding, loving ‘You’— stands God.”

Even if we cannot yet place or understand these events, God fully knows our longings, needs, and potential. He also knows our limits. What God gives to a faithful person even if it often comes through darkness and pain becomes a blessing, a calling, a mission for their brothers and sisters. This understanding of coincidence as a God-given moment helps us to approach the Second Reading with new insight.

After the destruction of the Temple around 70 AD, sacrifices and offerings, holocausts and sin offerings were no longer possible. Yet the Jewish question of reconciliation and salvation remained. The Letter to the Hebrews addresses humanity’s longing for healing and redemption by revealing Jesus Christ’s self-giving as the ultimate sacrifice and substitute: Paul writes: we have been consecrated through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

The one who is without sin steps in for all.

I believe that for Jesus, every event, every experience — even suffering and death — was central to his mission from the Father: to reveal God’s limitless love in a way that we could see and feel. In a wonderful way, both Elizabeth and Mary embraced their extraordinary calling and lived it out. Both are pregnant—unexpectedly. Both are to bring a child into the world—by human standards, for Mary too early and for Elizabeth too late!

Fate? Coincidence?

Given by God He chose both women to play a significant role in His plan of salvation for humanity. For sure, Mary intended to tell Elizabeth about the child she carried in her womb. But before she could, a 'coincidence' occurred: as Mary greeted Elizabeth, the child which Elizabeth was carrying leaped for the first time in her womb. She understands immediately: this is no ordinary visit. This is given to her from God! And Elizabeth can only marvel! Filled with wonder and empowered by the Holy Spirit, she proclaims:

“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?”

Christmas is only a few days away. It comes every year whether we are ready or not. Christmas is a celebration given to us by God. It may very well be the most miraculous 'coincidence' in human history: God becomes one of us, humbling Himself in smallness and poverty to free us from our own.

The Old Testament 8th century BC prophet Micah wrote the prophesy which we heard in our First Reading:

“You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel. He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock by the strength of the Lord. And he shall be peace.”

Dear brothers and sisters,

This promise of peace and justice, of hope and future, is no blind fate.

May we open our hearts to see God’s hand in every moment, to trust in His providence, and to journey toward the Child in the manger and the Man on the cross. Let us praise God with all our hearts, for he has done great things not just for Mary and Elizabeth but for us all.

Praised be Jesus Christ, the Emmanuel.

Amen.