Sunday, December 22, 2002
4th Sunday of Advent
1st Reading: 2 S 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16
When king David had settled in his palace and Yahweh had rid him of all his surrounding enemies, he said to Nathan the prophet, "Look, I live in a house of cedar but the ark of God is housed in a tent." Nathan replied, "Do as it seems fit to you for Yahweh is with you."
But that very night, Yahweh's word came to Nathan, "Go and tell my servant David, this is what Yahweh says: Are you able to build a house for me to live in?
Now you will tell my servant David, this is what Yahweh of hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the sheep, to make you commander of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you went, cutting down all your enemies before you. Now I will make your name great as the name of the great ones on earth. I will provide a place for my people Israel and plant them that they may live there in peace. They shall no longer be harassed, nor shall wicked men oppress them as before. From the time when I appointed judges over my people Israel it is only to you that I have given rest from all your enemies. Yahweh also tells you that he will build you a house.
When the time comes for you to rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your son after you, the one born of you and I will make his reign secure.
I will be a father to him and he shall be my son. If he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod, as men do.
Your house and your reign shall last forever before me, and your throne shall be forever firm."
2nd Reading: Rom 16:25-27
Brothers and sisters, he is able to give you strength, according to the Good News I proclaim, announcing Christ Jesus.
Now is revealed the mysterious plan kept hidden for long ages in the past.
By the will of the eternal God it is brought to light, through the prophetic books, and all nations shall believe the faith proclaimed to them.
Glory to God, who alone is wise, through Christ Jesus, for ever! Amen.
Gospel:
Lk 1:26-38
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. He was sent to a young virgin who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
The angel came to her and said, "Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you." Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean.
But the angel said, "Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you. You shall conceive and bear a son and you shall call him Jesus. He will be great and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the kingdom of David, his ancestor; he will rule over the people of Jacob forever and his reign shall have no end."
Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be if I am a virgin?" And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the holy child to be born shall be called Son of God. Even your relative Elizabeth is expecting a son in her old age, although she was unable to have a child, and she is now in her sixth month. With God nothing is impossible."
Then Mary said, "I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said." And the angel left her.
Commentary
Today we have another chance to hear God's promise to Mary. She was blessed because she believed God's promise would be fulfilled. She becomes the house of God. A human heart is the house God seeks, where his reign will have no end. We, too, are born to be a home for God, and to continue the saving mission of Jesus. With God, nothing is impossible: from barren ground God brings forth life. If we believe this, if we even hope that it could be so, we have our share in the blessedness of Mary. Faith is faith; it is not scientific certainty. It is always to some extent a leap in the dark. Mary took the risk and the consequences - commitment to a lifelong pilgrim journey, searching, wondering, holding on, waiting. She, too, knows what it is to live between the first and second comings of Christ.
Gospel Reflections by Fr. Gerry Pierse, C.Ss.R. • Diario Biblico