4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Psalter: Week 4 / (Violet)
Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29
Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
1st Reading: 2 S 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
When the king had settled in his palace and Yahweh had rid him of all his surrounding enemies, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Look, I live in a house of cedar but the Ark of God is housed in a tent.“ Nathan replied, “Do as it seems fit to you for Yahweh is with you.“
But that very night, Yahweh‘s word came to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, this is what Yahweh says: Are you able to build a house for me to live in?
Now you will tell my servant David, this is what Yahweh of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the sheep, to make you commander of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you went, cutting down all your enemies before you. Now I will make your name great, as the name of the great ones on earth. I will provide a place for my people Israel and plant them that they may live there in peace. They shall no longer be harassed, nor shall wicked men oppress them as before. From the time when I appointed judges over my people Israel it is only to you that I have given rest from all your enemies. Yahweh also tells you that he will build you a house.
When the time comes for you to rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your son after you, the one born of you; and I will make his reign secure.
I will be a father to him and he shall be my son. If he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod, as men do. But I will not withdraw my kindness from him as I did from Saul when I removed him out of your way. Your house and your reign shall last forever before me, and your throne shall be forever firm.“
2nd Reading: Rom 16:25-27
Glory be to God! He is able to give you strength, according to the Good News I proclaim, announcing Christ Jesus. Now is revealed the mysterious plan, kept hidden for long ages in the past. By the will of the eternal God it is brought to light, through the prophetic books, and all nations shall believe the faith proclaimed to them. Glory to God, who alone is wise, through Christ Jesus, forever! Amen.
Gospel: Lk 1:26-38
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God, to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. He was sent to a virgin, who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the virgin‘s name was Mary.
The angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you!“ Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean.
But the angel said, “Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you. You shall conceive and bear a son; and you shall call him Jesus. He will be great, and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the kingdom of David, his ancestor; he will rule over the people of Jacob forever; and his reign shall have no end.“
Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?“ And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the holy child to be born of you shall be called Son of God. Even your relative, Elizabeth, is expecting a son in her old age, although she was unable to have a child; and she is now in her sixth month. With God nothing is impossible.“
Then Mary said, “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said.“ And the angel left her.
REFLECTION:
Read: In his nobility of heart, David desires to build a house for Yahweh, but Yahweh in turn promises a dwelling for the entire people. At the Annunciation, Mary humbly accepts God‘s desire to house within her. Paul praises the mysterious plan of God, hidden for ages, but revealed now.
Reflect: Mary‘s response is the perfect merging of the active and the passive–the personal agency and the willingness to be worked on. Mary actively submits herself–out of her own free will–as the handmaid of the Lord. But her willingness is a desire to be willed by God: “let it be done to me according to your word.“ This is the perfect virginity of the soul–a soul that is completely open to God, and where God can pitch His tent. It is no wonder Mary is addressed the one “full of grace.“ She indeed is.
Pray: Ask Mother Mary to be your spiritual guide and mother in following God‘s will.
Act: Pray the joyful mystery of Annunciation in the Marian Rosary.
Daily Reflection
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
Readings and Reflections
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