Sunday Readings Commentary and Reflections

4th Sunday of Advent B December 21, 2014

In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy As aid in focusing our sharing and homilies

Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

1st Reading: 2 Sam 7,1-5.8-11.16 1 When King David was settled in his palace, and the LORD had given

him rest from his enemies on every side, 2 he said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God dwells in a tent!" 3 Nathan answered the king, "Go, do whatever you have in mind, for the LORD is with you." 4 But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said: 5 "Go, tell my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD: Should you build me a house to dwell in?

8 "Now then, speak thus to my servant David, 'The LORD of hosts has this to say: It was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of the flock to be commander of my people Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you went, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth. 10 I will fix a place for my people Israel; I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance. Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old, 11 since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. The LORD also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you.

16 Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.'"

The focus is on the announcement of future greatness.

1st Reading: 2 Sam 7,1-5.8-11.16 David wishing to build a Temple 1 When King David was settled in his

palace, and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side, 2 he said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God dwells in a tent!" 3 Nathan answered the king, "Go, do whatever you have in mind, for the LORD is with you."

God disapproves David’s plan 4 But that night the LORD spoke to

Nathan and said: 5 "Go, tell my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD: Should you build me a house to dwell in?

God reviews what he had done for David

8 "Now then, speak thus to my servant David, 'The LORD of hosts has this to say: It was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of the flock to be commander of my people Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you went, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you.

Commentary Vv.1-2 inform us that David, as King,

is now in place. All his enemies are defeated. He now enjoys rest from wars.

We are also informed of his desire to build a house for God.

David lives in a palace, while God lives in a tent.

Nathan is David’s prophet (consultant).

V.3 indicates Nathan’s approval of David’s plan.

But in vv.4-5, God disapproves. Vv.8-9 indicate what God has done

to David: • God called him to shift his work from

pasturing animals to leading his people Israel.

• God has assisted him wherever he went and destroyed his enemies.

1st Reading: 2 Sam 7,1-5.8-11.16 God announces the future

greatness of his kingdom And I will make you famous like the

great ones of the earth. 10 I will fix a place for my people Israel; I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance. Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old, 11 since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. The LORD also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you.

16 Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.'"

Vv.9b-11 contain God’s promises to David. • David will become famous. • God will make the land of Israel

secure for the Israelites. • They will be left undisturbed. • No wicked people will afflict or

inflict sufferings upon them. • Like David, the people will be

given rest from their enemies. In vv.11 and 16, God unveils his

plan to establish the dynasty of David.

His throne and kingdom will endure forever.

We, Christians, understand this as being fulfilled in Jesus.

Reflections on the 1st reading As leaders of our communities, we may experience

successes. These successes may inspire us to do more.

Like David, we, who are in power or who possess some authority, want to build big structures “for the Lord.”

But what we plan may be God’s will. God may have another plan, even better than ours.

Our plans certainly feign small compared to God’s plan for us.

The God-fearing leader and believer must be able to listen and discern “the signs of the times.”

He must not act by impulse or by force. Most often some projects and buildings become white elephants and useless monuments because of the lack of discernment and purpose.

We should allow other people to do the smaller plans for us. Solomon was the one who built the Temple.

Allow God to have greater plans for you. He may be speaking through a friend, who has a higher qualification, or, through a structure, which challenges you to do greater things (in contrast to your personal agenda and parochial concerns).

The temple of Solomon became a symbol and pride of Israel, center of the Israelite’s activities, yet, what was promised to David has become a symbol of Christ’s reign.

“Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.”

Resp. Psalm Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29 R. (2a) For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

2 The promises of the LORD I will sing forever;

through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness. 3 For you have said, "My kindness is established forever"; in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.

4 "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: 5 Forever will I confirm your posterity and establish your throne for all generations."

27 "He shall say of me, 'You are my father, my God, the Rock, my savior.' 29 Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him, and my covenant with him stands firm."

Resp. Psalm Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29 R. (2a) For ever I will sing the

goodness of the Lord.

2 The promises of the LORD I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness. 3 For you have said, "My kindness is established forever"; in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.

4 "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: 5 Forever will I confirm your posterity and establish your throne for all generations."

27 "He shall say of me, 'You are my father, my God, the Rock, my savior.' 29 Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him, and my covenant with him stands firm."

Commentary The psalm is classified as

individual lament. The psalm expresses feelings

of joy over God’s favor to the king of Israel (David).

The psalmist rejoices at God’s promises and faithfulness. V.2

Vv.3-5 articulate God’s promises: kindness and faithfulness, covenant, throne forever.

In v.27, David will recognize God as God, Rock (protector) and savior.

V. 29 repeats God’s promise to David: his kindness and covenant with him will stay.

Reflections on the Psalm

Like what he did to David, God promises us great things.

God assures us of his faithfulness and love. God keeps his words. In return, we acknowledge God as our God,

who empowers us. Can we appropriate the psalm? (Make it our

own?)

2nd Reading: Romans 16,25-27 25 To him who can strengthen you, according

to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages 26 but now manifested through the prophetic writings and, according to the command of the eternal God, made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith, 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever. Amen.

The focus is on God’s greatness and glory.

2nd Reading: Romans 16,25-27

25 To him who can strengthen you, • according to my gospel and the proclamation of

Jesus Christ (evangelization) • according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret

for long ages 26 but now manifested through the prophetic writings and (revelation)

• according to the command of the eternal God, • made known to all nations (command, law) • to bring about the obedience of faith (purpose of evangelization,

revelation and command of God)

27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be glory (doxa) forever and ever. Amen.

Observe the indention.

2nd Reading: Romans 16,25-27 25 To him who can strengthen

you, • according to my gospel and the

proclamation of Jesus Christ (evangelization)

• according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages 26 but now manifested through the prophetic writings and (revelation)

• according to the command of the eternal God, made known to all nations (command, law)

to bring about the obedience of faith (purpose of evangelization, revelation and command of God)

27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ be glory (doxa) forever and ever. Amen.

Commentary The second reading comes

from the last part of Paul’s letter to the Romans.

As usual, Paul follows the pattern of his letters. He puts doxology at the end. • To him, to the only wise God be

glory for ever and ever. Take note of the theology of

Paul introduced by the relative pronoun “who,” (in English transl.) followed by 3 “according to” (in conformity to, in line with).

We are strengthened in order to obey God and not for any other purpose, like doing our own thing or pursuing our own desires.

Reflections on the 2nd reading God must be acknowledged as the greatest among us

all. He deserves all glory and honor. Christian life and activity must be directed towards the

glorification of God. We show obedience by glorifying God, not ourselves. We may say God’s reign is finally here when all honor

and praise is directed to him. Can you spot members of your group who are soliciting

praises for their actions?

Gospel reading: Luke 1,26-38 Setting 26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from

God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. (Six months earlier the angel was sent to Zechariah in the Temple of Jerusalem to announce the birth of John the Baptist.)

Greetings and Mary’s reaction 28 And coming to her, he said, "Hail, favored one! The

Lord is with you." (repeats what is referred to David in the first reading) 29 But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

Angel’s assurance 30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for

you have found favor with God. (repeats v. 28 “Hail, favored one.”)

A simple outline!

Announcement of the birth of Jesus 31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and

bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 32 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, 33 and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.“ (a fulfillment of the promise of God to David through prophet Nathan. Go back to the first reading.)

Question 34 But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no

relations with a man?" (Her questioning does not express doubt, unlike Zechariah. Mary asks the process how it will take place considering she is a virgin and has no husband. She is still 14 years old.)

Answer 35 And the angel said to her in reply, "The holy Spirit will come

upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Other information Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of

God. 36 And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month (Again six months is mentioned. Luke is a skillful writer. He follows up his ideas as he develops his story. The focus this time is not on Zechariah, but another woman, Elizabeth) for her who was called barren; 37 for nothing will be impossible for God." (God is an effective intervener.)

Mary’s Response: YES 38 Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the

Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." (Mary is available. She is willing to cooperate with God’s plan. The translation is correct, “May it be done,” not the one we use in the Angelus which is “Let it be done..”) Then the angel departed from her. (Luke knows how to close the story by reporting the departure of the angel. The story began with the angels arrival in Nazareth.)

Commentary The announcement comes as a surprise to an

unsuspecting young teen-ager, Mary, who was in Nazareth.

What troubles Mary is not the coming of the angel, but the greetings. Mary was not aware that she was the “favored one, the Lord is with her.”

The annunciation contains the following: • Mary will bear a child, not just an ordinary one, but the great one

and the Son of the Most High. He will rule Israel for ever. • Her virginity is not a hindrance to God’s plan for her. God will act

on her through the power of the Holy Spirit.

What is impossible to man is possible to God. (The healing of Elizabeth’s barrenness and her (Mary’s) conception, even without sexual contact with a man.)

The annunciation is swift. Right away, Mary believes in the message of the angel as coming from God. She does not question the angel’s greetings, that she is a favored one, or, the Lord is with her.

She must have believed Elizabeth’s pregnancy as God’s intervention. Mary is not surprised when the angel brings this out in the annunciation.

The angel comes and goes.

Reflections on the gospel

The story of the annunciation is something to ponder upon, how God intervenes not just in the life of Mary, but also in our lives, in our history.

After the annunciation, the world is not the same again. When God announces, something good happens.

Openness to God’s intervention is not automatic. Like Mary, we must be able to read the signs of the times like how God acts in other people (in our relatives or friends, in our nation).

We may not be expecting some extraordinary announcements, but when they come, we should be prepared.

Announcements, which can change our lives, usually come from our superiors who give us new assignments or new challenges.

Our YES is an important factor in which the announcement becomes effective. Without our generous response, we cannot benefit from the overflowing love of God.

Just like the experience of Mary later on, we do not expect that everything will always go well. Our positive response carries along with it contradictions, pains and sufferings, because not everything is clear. But one thing is certain: Jesus comes to us only if we are open to him.

Tying the three readings & the Psalm

Announcement on the future greatness of David (1st reading)

We must believe in God’s promises (announcements). (Psalm)

Doxology to God (2nd reading) who strengthens (announced through evangelization, revelation and laws)

Annunciation of the birth of the Messiah (gospel reading)

The preacher must focus on the meaning of annunciation (announcements).

How to develop our sharing / homilies

In every school, church or business establishment, there are announcements posted on the bulletin boards, Facebook accounts, Tweeter, SMS, etc.

In the Old Testament, announcements were made through a prophet, or, an angel.

In the first reading, the announcement was made through the prophet Nathan.

God announces his plan for David through Nathan.

Nathan spoke on behalf of God. God had great plans for David: to build for him

a dynasty that will last for ever.

In the gospel reading, God makes the announcement to Mary through the angel Gabriel.

The angel announces that Mary would become the mother of the Lord.

We believe that through the birth of Jesus, the announcement made to David is realized.

Jesus is the Son of the Most High. He is king. His kingdom is for ever.

In the second reading, Paul, as he ends his letter giving glory to God, announces that God is the source of our strength.

When we honor God, we are announcing to the people his greatness and glory.

We, too, are evangelizing like St. Paul.

When we were baptized, God announced to the world that we became his children.

He announced to us that we have a great future.

We share in the life of God here on earth and in heaven.

When, we, his children listen to his words, we are listening to his announcements.

When we take to heart his message, we are responding to his announcements.

Nowadays, God also makes announcements through the “signs of the times.”

When there is a disaster, natural or man-made, political, economic or otherwise, it is a wake up call from God.

We must be attentive to it and discern what God is telling us.

Announcements are calls for change, and for our participation in the change.

If we ignore announcements and signs, and fail to interpret them correctly, we are courting disaster.

When we get sick, it is a call to change our lifestyle, our eating habits, working habits. It is a call to stop our bad habits (smoking, drinking, self-abuse and the like).

We Christians, like the prophets and the angels, must also learn how to announce: • That there is hope in the midst of troubles. • That God has something better for us than

what we try to do for ourselves. • That freedom (liberation, salvation) is

forthcoming, provided we keep God’s commands.

The eucharist is the sacrament to be received only by those who take the announcements (invitations) of God seriously.

In the eucharist, Jesus announces to us that God is with us. We cannot be alone in our joys and sufferings.

In the eucharist, we follow the Church’s announcements to live a sacramental life.

In the eucharist, God makes us great like David and Jesus. We come to belong to God’s everlasting reign.

Our Context of Sin and Grace

Busy doing trivial things Basking in reflected glory Busy making known one’s

name Short attention No retention Always brings bad news

Brings hope Attentive to

announcements Able to respond within a

short notice Disposed Available, chaste Responsive

Suggested Songs

Ang Puso Ko’y Nagpupuri Mary Was Once an Ordinary Girl

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_jXXuivfJA