4th Sunday of Advent
This weekend we celebrate the 4th Sunday of Advent and this year it is also Christmas eve. Our first reading from Samuel, points to the dangers of religion becoming institutionalized. When the Israelites travelled through the wilderness, God travelled with them and dwelt in their midst in the “meeting tent.” God wasn’t limited to one place but moved in the hearts and faith of the people. But now Israel was going through a comfortable period of peace and prosperity with its enemies vanquished and king David ensconced in a comfortable palace. But David needs to be reminded who’s in charge. God was the one who took the lowly shepherd boy David and made him king of Israel. God, not David, was the reason for Israel’s success and God will be the one to give them peace and protection from their enemies.
Since God was the reason for their past success God, not David, will see to their future as well. In our Gospel we hear the story of the Angel Gabriel coming to tell Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus. But as we hear this story we should stop and step aside from all the ongoing activities of this time of year to think about how Mary felt when she got this news that she was to have a child. Luke tells , ” she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.” The angel has to reassure her, “Do not fear Mary.” she must have been afraid. In that uneasy world of Galilee, a place of conflict and struggle, Mary’s personal response showed confusion and doubt. Still, Mary did not get a roadmap of the future neither do we. All her questions weren’t answered and many of our questions are unanswered. Gabriel announced that Mary’s child would be “great”. He would be Son of the “Most High” the highest concept of divinity one could have.
Mary made room for God in her life. Scripture suggests God wants to enter more fully into our messy lives with all the good and bad and all the happy and sad times that are part and parcel of our daily living. Mary accepted, and proclaimed, God’s will in her life. She placed her future in the hands of the Father so should we. God’s promise of a permanent resting place with us is being fulfilled. And where will this God be found? Not in the places of power and world influence; but among those who have known the powerful works of God in their lives. So today we look back and see how God’s hand strengthened us in many difficult situations. Like Mary who proclaims the greatness of the Lord we see that God guides us when we wander, strengthens us when we falter and consoles us when we weep. We thank God for his presence among us and we pray that we will be his presence in the world so that others can find God’s presence in their lives where they are.
Fullerton T 