REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR THE 4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR B
REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR THE 4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR B
THEME: THE ANNUNCIATION
By Rev. Sylvanus Amaobi.
(1st Reading, 2 Sam. 7:1-5,8-12,14-16; 2nd Reading, Rom. 16:25-27; Gospel, Lk. 1:26-38)
Dear brothers and sisters, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).
ALSO RECOMMENDED: HOMILY FOR 4TH SUNDAY IN ADVENT – YEAR B
The Gospel of this last week of Advent is on the story of the Annunciation. The Angel Gabriel was sent from God to Mary. He greeted Mary, “Hail full of grace! The Lord is with you”. Then the Angel delivered the message; “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David, his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom, there will be no end”. This message changed the course of history and inevitably brought salvation to humanity.
Mary gave an unqualified acceptance and obedience to the message of the Angel. She gave her fiat most sublimely, “Behold; I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word”. Like Mary, we who receive the message of the coming of the Lord today should also give our unqualified obedience and allow Jesus Christ to be born in our lives. Christ is born in our lives when we allow the will of God to be done in our lives, remembering that Christ is the Word of God made Flesh. Christ is born in our lives when we let him into our souls so much that He begins to influence our actions, thoughts, desires, and whatever we do.
FULFILLMENT OF DIVINE PROMISE
The annunciation message was God’s fulfillment of His promise to David for his loyalty, godliness, and thoughtfulness. In the first reading, we read, “After King David was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.” Nathan answered the king, “go, do whatever you have in mind, for the Lord is with you.” It was David’s intention to build a befitting and permanent house for God. But that night, the Lord spoke to Nathan against this intention of David, which Nathan communicated to David. Nonetheless, God blessed David for his wonderful intention and initiative.
Amongst the pronounced blessings of God to David was this great promise, “when your days have been completed, and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, sprung from your loins, and I will establish his kingdom … I will establish his royal throne forever. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me… Your house and your kingdom are firm forever before me; your throne shall be firmly established forever”. This promise was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ, as we saw in the message of the Angel Gabriel to Mary.
Therefore, like King David, let us desire to erect a befitting and permanent house for God. This kind of desire brings blessings and favors from God. There is no better way to do this than to purify and sanctify our hearts and our souls so that they become better abodes, befitting dwelling places of God. A dwelling place not built with physical artifacts but with righteousness and love. To God through Jesus Christ be glory and honor forever and ever, Amen.
Always remember that Jesus loves you!
FOR SIMILAR HOMILY, CLICK HERE >>>
