Fr. Francois Noha s.x.
The fourth Sunday of Advent, which is, also the vigil of Christmas this year 2023 challenges our perception of God. Meanwhile it is inviting us to remember that God is the main actor in our lives and in the world. The desire of David to build a house for the Lord is noble. However, this idea of David will help him discover God's plan for David descendants and the whole of humanity. The plan reaches maturity in the Gospel where God's project for humanity is clearly manifested in Mary.
The first reading taken from the second book of Samuel shows David gratitude towards God. He remembers where he came from and how far the journey has been. At the same time, while he is living comfortably in his palace, he noticed that God's house is merely a tent. For this motive, he plans to build a house for the Lord.
The Lord in reaction to David’s intention makes great revelation to the king. He informs him that He, the Lord, is the one who built David and made him who he is today. He is the same one that will provide a descendant to David. Here, we discover that God is working hard to do something great for David and the whole of humanity. The role is changed. It is no longer David who is building a house for God, but God is promising to provide a descendent that will be very important for the house of David. His descendant will inherit David’s throne forever. It is no longer a question of a house but a promise of dynasty that will last forever.
The gospel of St. Luke narrates the completion of God’s promise to David. His descendent will sit on his throne forever. In addition, the miracle happens in the acceptance of Mary concerning the message brought to her by the Angel Gabriel. On one hand, Zachariah who has the experience, the age and has been waiting for a long time the manifestation of the Lord. He received from the Angel Gabriel the annunciation of the birth of John the Baptist. Nonetheless, he has some doubt concerning the message of the angel. Despite his resistance to believe, God continues the project John the Baptist birth.
Mary on the other hand gives her full cooperation to the project of the incarnation of Jesus into the world. Her “yes” (fiat) is the best answer that contributes to the history of salvation. The ability of Mary and her full acceptance to participate in God’s project teaches us a lesson of humility, of faith in God, of being God’s instrument. Mary let God’s will to be accomplished in her. How difficult this attitude in these days where people are misled by the false idea of freedom? How can the life of Mary inspire us to become that receptacle of God’s project in our lives?
The season of Advent always focuses on preparing the way to welcome the Lord. People are asked to make stretch the path for the Lord. In this process of preparation and purification, some people who are protagonists in the history of salvation demonstrate their readiness like Mary and Joseph on one side. On the other side, Other ones are perplex like Zachariah. The culmination of this readiness is described in the annunciation, which Mary incarnates fully.
To sum up, the desire of David to build a house for the Lord has turned around to become God’s promise for a discordance for David that will inherit David’s throne. In addition, this promise will reach its fulfillment through the “yes” of the Virgin Mary. This attitude of putting herself at the disposal of God’s project is outstandingly important. However, God project in the life of Zachariah will reach tis fulfilment despite the doubt and hesitation of Zachariah. The success here is the full cooperation of both protagonist to the project of salvation following the unfolding of the events. May the Virgin Mary continue to help us to say “yes” to God project in our lives.
The fourth Sunday of Advent, which is, also the vigil of Christmas this year 2023 challenges our perception of God. Meanwhile it is inviting us to remember that God is the main actor in our lives and in the world. The desire of David to build a house for the Lord is noble. However, this idea of David will help him discover God's plan for David descendants and the whole of humanity. The plan reaches maturity in the Gospel where God's project for humanity is clearly manifested in Mary.
The first reading taken from the second book of Samuel shows David gratitude towards God. He remembers where he came from and how far the journey has been. At the same time, while he is living comfortably in his palace, he noticed that God's house is merely a tent. For this motive, he plans to build a house for the Lord.
The Lord in reaction to David’s intention makes great revelation to the king. He informs him that He, the Lord, is the one who built David and made him who he is today. He is the same one that will provide a descendant to David. Here, we discover that God is working hard to do something great for David and the whole of humanity. The role is changed. It is no longer David who is building a house for God, but God is promising to provide a descendent that will be very important for the house of David. His descendant will inherit David’s throne forever. It is no longer a question of a house but a promise of dynasty that will last forever.
The gospel of St. Luke narrates the completion of God’s promise to David. His descendent will sit on his throne forever. In addition, the miracle happens in the acceptance of Mary concerning the message brought to her by the Angel Gabriel. On one hand, Zachariah who has the experience, the age and has been waiting for a long time the manifestation of the Lord. He received from the Angel Gabriel the annunciation of the birth of John the Baptist. Nonetheless, he has some doubt concerning the message of the angel. Despite his resistance to believe, God continues the project John the Baptist birth.
Mary on the other hand gives her full cooperation to the project of the incarnation of Jesus into the world. Her “yes” (fiat) is the best answer that contributes to the history of salvation. The ability of Mary and her full acceptance to participate in God’s project teaches us a lesson of humility, of faith in God, of being God’s instrument. Mary let God’s will to be accomplished in her. How difficult this attitude in these days where people are misled by the false idea of freedom? How can the life of Mary inspire us to become that receptacle of God’s project in our lives?
The season of Advent always focuses on preparing the way to welcome the Lord. People are asked to make stretch the path for the Lord. In this process of preparation and purification, some people who are protagonists in the history of salvation demonstrate their readiness like Mary and Joseph on one side. On the other side, Other ones are perplex like Zachariah. The culmination of this readiness is described in the annunciation, which Mary incarnates fully.
To sum up, the desire of David to build a house for the Lord has turned around to become God’s promise for a discordance for David that will inherit David’s throne. In addition, this promise will reach its fulfillment through the “yes” of the Virgin Mary. This attitude of putting herself at the disposal of God’s project is outstandingly important. However, God project in the life of Zachariah will reach tis fulfilment despite the doubt and hesitation of Zachariah. The success here is the full cooperation of both protagonist to the project of salvation following the unfolding of the events. May the Virgin Mary continue to help us to say “yes” to God project in our lives.