4^th Sunday of Advent (B); December 24, 2023

2 Sam 7:1-5,8-12,14,16.  Ps 89.  Rom 16:25-27.  Lk 1:26-38

Deacon Jim McFadden

            As Christmas is nearly upon us–indeed, we’ll be celebrating our Lord’s birth tomorrow!—the 4^th Sunday of Advent focuses our attention on the notion of a dwelling place for God.

            In our first reading from the 2^nd book of Samuel, King David finds himself finally free: he has conquered his enemies, united the twelve tribes of Israel into a kingdom, and has established Jerusalem as the nation’s capitol.  Now, he is about to usher in a period of glory and prosperity.  He has built himself a beautiful palace made of cedar and, perhaps feeling a bit guilty he wants to build a splendid temple for God who currently is occupying a tent vis-à-vis the Ark of the Covenant.  God seems okay with that because he has dwelled with the Israelites in the same way they lived—in makeshift tents as they made their way between Egypt and Canaan.  What’s interesting is that God did not ask David for such an edifice. 

            Indeed, God actually says “no” to the temple-building task via David, but says that the endeavor would fall to David’s son, Solomon.  But, then God made an extravagant promise to David which is at the heart of our first reading for today.  “You want to build me a house,” the Lord in effect says to David, “but, in fact, I’ll build you a house.”  This text will form a hinge upon which the entire biblical narrative turns.  The Lord promises that the “house” or the throne of David would last forever:  “The Lord…reveals to you that he will establish a house for you.  And when your time comes and you will rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make this kingdom firm.  And, it is he who shall build  a house in my name.  and, I will make his royal throne firm forever” (2 Sam 7:11b-13).  Yahweh has found his king and the hope that this Kingdom would extend down throughout the ages.  God promises that he will make his dwelling with them forever. 

            Historically, the kingly line didn’t fare so well.  Both David and Solomon had their character flaws—they both sinned in major ways—and the kings that succeeded them amounted to a rogue’s gallery of corrupt and cruel rulers.  The upshot is that by 587 b.c. the Davidic kings ended with the Babylonian Exile in which the Temple was destroyed, the Israelites were carried off into a foreign land, and the Davidic line ended.

            But, the people still clung the promise that “Your throne will last forever.”  Even though the succession ended, hoping against hope, some Israelites continued to hope that the promise would be fulfilled; they expected it to be fulfilled because God does not renege on his promises.

            Now, fast forward 500 years: Israel is still without a king; now, it’s under the boot of another oppressor—this time it is Rome.  The world is not properly ordered in which God gathers his people, overcomes their enemies, renews the Temple, and ushers in prosperity that will never end. 

            At this point in salvation history, this climatic point,  the Archangel Gabriel pays a visit to a young Israelite girl from the little obscure town of Nazareth.  And, they have an extraordinary conversation, which is our gospel for today.

            Importantly, we hear that this young girl is from the House of David, as is her fiancé Joseph.  Ah, that house that God had promised to preserve forever.  Yes, the Davidic kings had disappeared, but the house will still around and this child that Mary would carry would be from the House of David. 

            The angel said to her, “You’ve found favor with God.  Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus” (Lk 1:30b-31).  And, further, which no first century Jew would have missed, “…the Lord God will give him the throne of David and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever and of his kingdom there will be no end”. (vs. 32b-33).

            Humanity and God are at a critical juncture: everything is up for grabs and the rest of her life and ours will be impacted by this one moment depending upon how Mary reacts.  As we all know, Mary did say “Yes”—let it be done to me according to your word.  Mary will make a physical home for the Holy One in her womb; hers was a unique role.  But everything that is happening to Mary mirrors what is happening to us.  We too are being asked by God to become a dwelling place for Christ within ourselves, within our Church, and within our world. 

            Mary is the first, but not the last to say “yes” to the Father’s will.  We follow Mary, who follows her Son.  We must allow God to have a dwelling within us as persons and as a community of believers.  Indeed, this little tour of Jewish biblical history is meant to help us understand the role and purpose of the Church.  You see, at our baptism, we have been grafted onto this new David, who is the fulfillment of the Messianic hope.  We are now members of Jesus actual mystical Body, the Church.  So, what is our job?  That job is the Mission of the Church embodied in Christ, which is to baptize all nations is the name of the Father, of the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  We are called in Christ to subdue earth , to bring his dominion of love into every aspect of our lives. When the Word became Flesh  in Jesus, God has permanently made his dwelling among and within us: humanity and divinity are now permanently united.  And,  God expects us to share this Good News with the world.  He expects as much out of us as he did with Mary, but he always asks.  And, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we say “yes” as well.  Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1.  How does the Lord build his “house” within you?

•  Why is it important that God promised that David’s throne “will last forever”?

• We are being asked by God to become a dwelling place for God within ourselves.  How is that being realized within you?