FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR B

THE DIVINE WORD

THE SEASON OF ADVENT

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR B

THEME: God´s Plan of Salvation

((Readings: 1Sam 7:1-5.8-12.14.16; Ps88; Rom 16:25-27; Lk 1:26-38))

It is now one day before the feast of Nativity of our Lord; the joyful feast that we have been preparing for during Advent. The Church in her wisdom wants us to reflect on God´s plan to save us through incarnation. “For God so loved the world, that he gave him only begotten son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”. Today we celebrate God´s love for humanity revealed through his covenant with his servant David in the Old Testament and fulfilled in Mary, in the New Testament.

Supposing someone is drowning in the sea? What would you do to save the person? Definitely, the most appropriate solution is to jump into the water and help the person who is drowning to come out. Note that you need to be a good swimmer lest you likewise drown. Now, when humanity was drowning in captivity of sin, God came with the most appropriate method of saving us. Jesus who knew well the purpose of our sea of sin and our challenges had to jump inside and save us. Therefore, he was born like a human and lived like us to save us from drowning.

In our first reading, in appreciation of God´s love, David wished to build a temple for God: However, God does not allow him. Instead, God made a promise to David: “You will not be the one to build a house for God, but God himself will instead build a stable, solid, and eternal house for you”. God’s presence in families is more important than His presence in buildings. This is exactly what happens to us when we sacrifice our resources, strength, and heart to serve the Lord. The Lord gives us prosperity and build a stable house of grace in your life.

In the Gospel reading, Mary becomes the promised Temple of God. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Mary conceived a son, our savior Jesus Christ in her womb as told by the Angel. There are so many mysteries surrounding the visit of Angel Gabriel to Mary, conception through the power of the holy spirit, and Mary’s surrender to the will of God by saying “I am the handmaid of the lord, let what you have said be done to me” Lk 1:38. What is the God´s message for us today?

GOD IS FAITHFUL TO HIS PROMISES. The promises that he made to his servant David are now being fulfilled through Mary. After greetings, the Angel says the following about the son to be born “The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever and his reign will have no end” Lk 1:33 This was already prophesied by Isaiah in Isa 7:14. It might have taken long time before this promise came to fulfillment. However, at an appropriate time, God fulfills his promises to his Servant David in the Son of Mary; the long-awaited messiah, whose kingdom will have no end. God has a promise and plan for each one of us and he is always faithful to his promises. Ps 145:13 “The lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.”

GOD´S GRACE IS TO LIFT THE LOWLY SERVANTS

The people of Israel were waiting for the Messiah to deliver them from captivity. They expected a strong, rich, and a powerful leader. They thought that the Messiah would come from famous towns like Bethlehem and royal families. However, because God´s thoughts are not our thoughts, nor his ways are our ways, he picks out a small village of Nazareth, insignificant and a place despised by all. In Jn 1:46 Nathaniel asked, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”. In the Jewish culture the word “virgin” was used to describe a useless woman, who cannot get a man or a fruit tree that bears no fruits, or a land that cannot produce anything. Therefore, the Virgin Mary was very insignificant. God raises us from grass to a state of Grace. God lifts up the lowly and despised and brings down the proud. Mary is a sign of hope for the poor who should be filled with Joy because the Almighty will work in them great things. He is not a respecter of people’s status but the humility and purity of heart.

WITH GOD NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE. Mary questioned, how is it possible since I am a virgin? How can I conceive a son when I am a virgin? Angel Gabriel answered that “the power of the Most High will overshadow you”. The same God made Elizabeth who was barren to conceive a child. The same God made Sarah who was 90 years old to conceive a child. The same God rose Lazarus from death. The same God cured the sick and calmed the storm. It is the same God whom we are serving today. He can do everything that you think is impossible in your life. The only condition is FAITH like Mary said YES to the will of God even though it seemed impossible and patience.

St. Paul tells us in the second reading that all these were part of God’s plans for our salvation for all eternity. Our God is still making the impossibilities possible in our life. He is still empowering each one of us. Our God is always very faithful to his promises in our life. What He requires from us is our steadfast faith in his power, patience with him, and surrender to his will. Let us pray during this mass that God will make us his instrument of grace in the world.

PRAYER: I will sing forever of your love, O Lord. Amen

Fr. Antony Muchui, SVD

HAVE A BLESSED SUNDAY!!!

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“May the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all People. Amen”