The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 20, 2015 Cycle C
by Rev. Jose Maria Cortes, F.S.C.E.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Today’s readings tell us how God enters the world and dwells among us.

In today’s first reading, King David expresses the desire to build a house where God can abide. God responds that his way of being with us is different from what humans imagine. He says that his house is not a building made of stones but a people chosen by him. The establishment of the house was at God’s initiative. The construction of the house where God abides begins with His choosing of David: God edifies David about the house: “It was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of the flock to be commander of my people Israel” (2 Sm 7:8). God also promises that the construction of the house will be concluded with the arrival of David’s heir: “I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever” (2 Sam 7: 12–16).

We see the fulfillment of this prophecy in today’s Gospel, in the Annunciation. God entered the world through the dialogue between Mary and the Archangel Gabriel. With Mary’s “yes,” the Word becomes flesh and God is really among us: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38). Mary’s acceptance of God’s will creates the house where God dwells.

The mystery of the Incarnation is made possible by divine initiative and human response. Human collaboration is essential.

God enters and remains in the world through those who abandon themselves to Him. This mystery is manifested through personal dialogue with God, as St. Paul explains in the second reading: “[…] according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages but now manifested […]” (Rom 16:26).

In Mary, we find our model. We, too, have the mission to bring Christ to our world, to continue the “yes” uttered by Mary in Nazareth. Her “let it be” must be relived by each Christian.

We were also chosen by baptism. We have received the gift of faith. We were called together to form the people of God. The community is God’s dwelling place. The mystery of the Incarnation continues to happen in the community of believers. Mary’s dialogue with God must continue in each one of us. God’s entering our contemporary world depends on this. God can show himself through us! Following Mary’s example, may we contribute to bringing the presence of God to the world. Through Mary’s intercession, may we always be ready to say “yes” to God.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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