Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 24, 2023
Saint Patrick Cathedral
Fort Worth, Texas

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a-16
Psalm 89:2-3 4-5, 27, 29
Romans 16:25-27
Luke 1:26-38

The background to the first reading today is that King David has conquered his enemies and earned a reputation as a clever and courageous warrior. He was enjoying a rest in his comfortable palace when he suddenly realized that the Ark of the Covenant was housed in a simple tent. He intended to correct that situation and announced his plan to the prophet Nathan not to live more simply but to treat the Ark of the Covenant in the opulent style to which David had become accustomed. The prophet Nathan initially approved his intentions, but after discerning a revelation from God, he withdrew his approval.

God’s message to David through Nathan was very direct and probably caught David by surprise. Kings of other nations surrounding Israel had built extravagant temples for their gods. Why shouldn’t David show his gratitude to God by building one for Him? Shouldn’t God have pride of place in David’s kingdom?

God responds to David. “Who are you to build a house for me? Perhaps your wartime successes have gone to your head. It is not you who takes care of me but I who care for you. I have built you a dwelling and now I will build you a dynasty, a kingdom to last forever. Your descendent will be King forever.” If David in his pride had forgotten where his strength came from, this was certainly a wake-up call that these victories were not all about David; Israel is God’s chosen people not the other way around. David is God’s anointed not the other way around. David’s victories are for God’s plan of salvation for the world; God does not fit into David’s plans even if David presumes to give God first place in those plans.

In contrast to this message, God’s message to the Blessed Virgin Mary delivered by the Archangel Gabriel was gentle and encouraging. Why would she, so young and insignificant, be so highly favored and loved? How could this prediction of a great and holy son be true if she were not yet married? And how could the power of the Highest and the presence of the Holy Spirit change this situation? Mary found herself to be confused and puzzled and in awe of God, but her trust in the Lord prevails. “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

With Mary’s loving willingness, God finally completes His promise to David and God’s own plan of salvation for the world. The Blessed Virgin Mary’s humility is stronger than David’s pride. The Blessed Virgin Mary’s confidence in God’s Grace surpasses David’s arrogance in his own abilities. The Blessed Virgin Mary’s willingness places her at the heart of God’s Kingdom because immediately after her acceptance of God’s Will she leaves to assist Elizabeth in her own challenging pregnancy. Service to those in need follows acceptance of God’s will and of our place in God’s plans.

The Blessed Virgin Mary is an intercessor and example for all of us in discipleship because she sees and lives by the right order of God’s design – God first, others second, and ourselves third. The kingdom that God would build is not the kingdom of a warrior-king valued by the powerful, but one of the poor, the outcast, the weak, and those who are forgotten by the powerful; His Kingdom includes each of us if we follow the example of Mary and trust God, say “yes” to Him, and then serve others. It is in our poverty, weakness, and powerlessness that God invites us to meet Him.

We began Advent with the prayer, “Come, Lord Jesus.” God announces His answer to our prayer with the angels’ command to the shepherds “Go to Bethlehem.” That is where He has come. Our response made in love to His call is to go to Bethlehem, where we find our King, not in majesty and earthly power demanding our capitulation, but a poor infant, powerless and tender, asking only for our love.

When we recognize and accept our own poverty and weakness, then we can seek God’s forgiveness and strength. When we recognize and accept our own poverty and weakness, then we can surrender control of our lives to the Holy Spirit and hear our own vocation. When we recognize and accept our own poverty and weakness, then we can be part of God’s universal plan and not try to put Him into service of our own plans. When we recognize and accept our own poverty and weakness, then we are prepared for Christmas – the birth of Emmanuel – God is with us.