The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, December 18, 2005
The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
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

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

It seems ironic that God from His spacious mansion in heaven should berate David for wanting to build Him a magnificent Temple on earth. After all, He later allowed Solomon to do exactly that! We must be cautious in commenting, since "who has known the mind of God?"! Some biblical commentators feel it was because of David's motives--David was very comfortably established at this time, secure in having vanquished his enemies. There is a tinge of arrogant afterthought in now attending to a lavish Temple. So God humbles him, delaying this ambitious project which was bound to give great glory to King David, as well as to Almighty God!

The second reason, which is more appealing to the reader, is God's yearning desire to come as a child into the womb of a pure virgin. Here was a temple that suited His majesty more than a house of gold! This explanation also underscores God's emptying out of his glory in order to become a weak, fragile baby. This will be His home, His luxury palace, a palace of love.

Now we know what all the waiting has been about. God has been waiting for a suitable home in the midst of human poverty and pain. We have been waiting for God to be our Emmanuel, so that we might never feel lonely or abandoned again.

Of course, Christmas is about presents. God's present -- of His Presence! Our hearts should be bursting with gratitude!

- Msgr. Paul Whitmore
(smartins at frontiernet dot net)

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