December 24, 2017
St. Patrick’s 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 subdued his enemies, and earned a reputation as a clever and courageous warrior. He was enjoying a rest in his comfortable palace when he realized that the Ark of the Covenant was housed in a tent. He intended to correct that situation and announced his plan to the prophet Nathan. The prophet approved his intentions, but after discerning a revelation from God, he withdrew his approval.
God’s message to David from 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 a place of pride 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 take 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 a 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 was not yet married? And how could the power of the Most High 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 the Lord’s servant … let it happen to me as you say.
With Mary’s willing consent, 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 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 myself third. The kingdom that God would build is not the kingdom of a warrior-king, but one of the poor, the outcast, the weak, and those who are forgotten. 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 and weakness that God invites us to meet Him.
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 are able to 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 are able to 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.
