Dear brothers and sisters, as we gather on this Fourth Sunday of Advent, our hearts are filled with anticipation and joy as we approach the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The readings today guide us through a journey of profound significance, revealing God’s divine plan for salvation and His unwavering faithfulness to His promises.
In the first reading from the Second Book of Samuel, we encounter King David, a man who desires to build a grand house for the Lord. However, God, through the prophet Nathan, humbles David by reminding him that it was God who took him from the pasture, made him a leader, and promised to establish a house for him. This house, we come to understand, is not a physical dwelling, but a lineage leading to the eternal kingdom of Christ. God’s promise to David echoes through the ages, reaching its fulfillment in the Gospel we just heard.
The Gospel passage from the Gospel of Luke narrates the Annunciation, a pivotal moment when the angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will conceive and bear a son, Jesus, the Son of the Most High. Mary’s response, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word,” embodies the essence of humble obedience and profound faith. In her fiat, Mary willingly submits to God’s plan, becoming the vessel through which God’s promise to David is fulfilled.
In this encounter between the angel and Mary, we witness the unfolding of the mystery kept secret for long ages, as mentioned in the second reading from the Letter to the Romans. The revelation of God’s plan for salvation, concealed in the prophetic writings, is now made manifest through the birth of Jesus Christ. The eternal God’s command is proclaimed to all nations, inviting us to respond with the obedience of faith.
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, we are called to reflect on the humility and trust displayed by both David and Mary. David, though initially desiring to build a grand house for God, accepts God’s greater plan for an eternal kingdom. Mary, a humble handmaid, surrenders herself to God’s will, allowing the Holy Spirit to overshadow her and bring forth the Son of God.
The readings invite us to examine our own hearts and consider how we respond to God’s plans in our lives. Are we open to God’s will, even when it challenges our desires and plans? Do we possess the trust and humility displayed by Mary, who, despite not fully understanding the mystery unfolding within her, entrusts herself entirely to God?
In this Advent season, let us emulate the faith of Mary and the humility of David. Like Mary, let us say “yes” to God’s plan for our lives, trusting that His ways are higher than our ways. Like David, let us acknowledge God’s sovereignty and be open to the unexpected ways He fulfills His promises.
As we await the birth of the Savior, may our hearts be filled with gratitude for God’s faithfulness throughout history and with hope for the fulfillment of His promises in our lives. Let us rejoice, for the light of Christ is about to dawn, dispelling the darkness and bringing everlasting joy to our world.
May the grace of God, revealed through the mystery of the Incarnation, dwell in our hearts and lead us to a deeper relationship with Him.