Fourth Sunday of Advent Year B
2 Samuel 7:1–5, 8b–12, 14a, 16
Psalm 89:2–3, 4–5, 27, 29
Romans 16:25–27
Luke 1:26–38
Advent always has four Sundays, but at times, as this year, the fourth week is cut short. Parishes have little time to prepare for the Christmas liturgies, and the schedule of Masses for the Fourth Sunday of Advent might be reduced. Nonetheless, the readings are rich and worth our reflection.
David wants to respond to all that God has done for him by building a temple, a “house for the Lord.” At first, the prophet Nathan encourages the king to go forward with his plans: “Go, do whatever you have in mind, for the Lord is with you.” But then, God turns the tables and makes a promise to David, that instead, He will build a house for David that will endure forever.
“Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.” This promise is fulfilled in the coming of the Messiah, which is announced to the Virgin Mary, betrothed to Joseph, a Gospel that is very familiar to us because it is used for many of the Church’s celebrations.
The gift of the Incarnation is God’s entering into our world and sharing the fullness of relationship with us. In David, we have a human response of gratitude that suggests the building of a house for God to dwell with us.
In Mary, who is a daughter in David’s line betrothed to a husband in David’s line, we see the full response of gratitude and the willingness to be God’s dwelling place. Her “let it be done” makes possible the salvation for which we long.
Something profound is revealed here. God shapes His gifts to each one of us. What we need, what we desire, what we long for offer a “form” to God’s gift of Himself in us. Each unique soul can turn to God, offering self, and God’s response is the fullness of the gift that He desires to share with each and all.
David’s response is tainted by his checkered past – and his subsequent life will reveal that he is still in need of the salvation and mercy that will come through the Messiah. Mary’s response, complete and withholding nothing, has been prepared by God since she is “full of grace.”
We journey through our own lives more like David, who is always God’s beloved, with our own half-hearted response, but we also follow in the line of Mary, who shows us how to respond to the grace that has been bestowed upon us.
All ages since that encounter have indeed called Mary “blessed,” and, responding to the Gift of her Son, have received that blessing. We are members of the House of David, and God dwells in us forever.
As we close Advent and move into the Christmas celebrations, may each of us cry out with Mary, “Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.” May we allow God to turn the tables on us and on our efforts to respond to His gift. Our hearts are ready, prepared by the action of grace to receive the gift of the Incarnation and to share our joy with the world.