Friday, December 19, 2008

4th Sunday of Advent (B)

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

5-year-old Olivia and her best friend Claire were participating in a nativity play at school. Claire was playing Mary, and Olivia was an angel. Before the show, a young boy was going around the dressing room repeating, “I’m a sheep, what are you?” Each child responded politely, including Olivia, who proudly declared she was an angel.

The boy then turned to Claire, still struggling into her costume with her mother’s help, and repeated the question to her: “I’m a sheep, what are you?” Claire simply said, “I’m Mary.”


Realizing he was face to face with a lead character, the boy felt he needed to justify his own role. “It’s hard being a sheep, you know,” he said with all the seriousness of a 5-year-old actor with a big part. 


Claire’s equally serious response was humorously profound. “Yes,” she said innocently, “but it’s also hard being a virgin, you know.”


(The story is told by Msgr. Dennis Clarke)

The gospel is an account of the Mystery of the Annunciation wherein the angel Gabriel declares unto Mary that she is to conceive the Son of God by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Annunciation is the fulfillment of God’s promise to king David that from his heirs will come the Savior of humankind.

The first thing that we notice about the Annunciation is the simplicity of the event: A messenger of God visiting a poor young woman in a small, hidden and silent place. Nobody sees it and there is no other who knows about it except Mary. And yet, this incident is the turning point of the history of salvation. Mary’s humble acceptance of the will of God leads to the Incarnation or the becoming human of God.

In the first reading, king David expresses his desire to build a huge, beautiful dwelling place for God. However, through the prophet Nathan, God declares: "It is not David who will build a house for Me; rather, I will build a house for David." The house that David has in mind is a building; but the house in God’s plan is the people who will unite in the name of Jesus His Son. David’s house is made of worldly materials; but the house of God is to be founded on the love of Christ.

As a whole, the liturgy reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas and helps us to celebrate it meaningfully today. Christmas is God’s revelation of His great love for humankind. God wishes to become one with His beloved creatures, and for this His Son is to be called “Emmanuel” (meaning, “God is with us”). A meaningful celebration of Christmas is achievable not through parties and the exchange of material gifts but by our humble acceptance of Jesus in our lives. Mary’s “Yes” has opened for us the gates of salvation. And in the same way, we are saved in Christ through our submission to the will of God.

Today’s worldwide ongoing economic crisis provides us with a unique opportunity to celebrate Christmas in the spirit of simplicity and generosity. Let us celebrate simply because God himself has shown us that genuine love does not depend on material things. And like Jesus, let us be giving of ourselves (time, talent and treasure) this Christmas so that the poor will also experience the love of God in us.

No comments: