“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
24th December 2017.
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FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Reading 1:2 Sam 7: 1-5, 8-12, 14, 16King David wants to build a house (temple) for God. But God tells him, He will do the building: His house and kingdom shall endure forever.
Res. Psalm: Ps 88: 2-5, 27, 29 God has made a covenant with his chosen one; He will keep his love for us always; with him our covenant shall last. And we will sing forever of his love.
Reading 2:Rom 16: 25-27 God’s plan of salvation for Jews and Gentiles has come to fulfillment in Christ. The good news must be now manifested and proclaimed everywhere.
Gospel: Lk 1: 26-38 We hear the account of God’s proposal to Mary to be the mother of his Son and Mary gives her consent to become the mother of the Redeemer, though she does not fully understand what is being asked of her.
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MAKING OUR HEART A DWELLING PLACE FOR GOD
Advent is running past us and Christmas is at our door. The Saviour we have been waiting for is about to make a entry into our lives. The Church invites us during this last day before Christmas to adore the Lord. From the moment man withdrew far away from God through sin, God announced His plans to bring man back to himself. And to bring Jesus, his son into this world he needed a womb, a place, a house.
Both the readings of today; the first reading and the Gospel speak to us about a house. In the first reading, David had settled into his house and starts planning to built a house for the Lord. God understands the desire of David, but reveals his plan to establish a family which would last forever. After the death of David, his son Solomon succeeded him to the throne and built a magnificent Temple house for the Lord. He reigned for over forty years, but his kingdom declined. And in these situations the Jews were asking, “What has happened to the promise God made to our father David, that his kingdom would last forever? Has God failed in his promise?”The answer to their question lies in today’s Gospel which assures us that God did not fail. To fulfill his promise he chose a simple village girl, Mary. She was the house where God would dwell. For nine months he would live in her as in a Temple. Mary was to become the new Ark of the Covenant, the new dwelling of God among men. Having found out God’s plan, Mary surrendered herself to God without reservation. “I am the handmaid of the Lord ; let what you have said be done to me.” (Lk. 1:38)
Another striking outlook of today’s readings is the contrast between King David and Mary. David wants to do something great for God, and Mary expresses her willingness to receive someone great from God, his very own Son. Mary’s way is the way God wants it. God asked Mary for a home to dwell in for his Son, and she gave her own body. Hers was the best generosity of all. In her God found human flesh, a body in which he was to dwell and be at home. In her the child took over as new life that changes our life.
When we give each other our Christmas presents, let us remember that God has given us the sun and the moon and the stars, all the earth with its forests and mountains and oceans and all that lives and moves upon them. He gives us all green things and everything that blossoms and bears fruit—all that we quarrel about and all that we have misused. And to save us from our own foolishness and from all our sins, He came down to earth and gave Himself.
When someone accepts a gift, he admits another into his world and is ready to give him a place in his own being. Today, we wait for the coming of Christ tomorrow. But Christ also waits. He waits for our invitation, our “Yes”, just as he waited for Mary’s. Ultimately, a gift becomes a gift only when it is accepted” Are we active receptacles, offering our poor stable, our table, our heart, our flesh to him?
The one way we can be sure of making him welcome is by being open and receptive to one another—to anyone, especially the poor and homeless. Leo Tolstoy once told a story about an old cobbler, Martin, who dreamt that Christ was going to visit him. All day he waited and watched. While he waited he gave hospitality to one person who was cold, to another who needed reconciliation, to another who needed clothing. At the end of the day, he was disappointed that Christ had not come. That night he had another dream, and all those to whom he gave hospitality returned and a voice said, “Martin, do you not know me? I am Jesus. Whatever you do to the least of these you do to me.”It is not only at Christmas that Jesus comes and knocks at the door of our hearts; he comes every day of the year in every brother and sister.
The Word is made flesh and dwells among us. This is “the mystery hidden for many ages but now manifested, and made known to all the Gentiles that they may believe and obey. God has been carrying out his work to save us from a very long time. At this Christmas let us allow Him to save us. As Christmas draws near, let us grow in faith and love to celebrate.
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Prayer: Lord, as Christmas draws near make us grow in faith and love to celebrate the coming of Christ our Saviour, who is Lord for ever and ever. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen