FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR B. 20.12.2020.
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| Advent Candle of Peace |
THE ANGEL’S CANDLE OF PEACE ON EARTH
While having a discussion
on security issues within my area last week, one of the vigilantes said to me, “Father,
if you observe any illegal movement around the parish, call us on phone we will
come and save you.” Immediately they left, I smiled and repeated same words
to my brother priest. Invariably, they saw themselves as messiahs that have
come to save their people. However, the readings of today present to us one Messiah,
Jesus the son of Mary, who received the angel’s message of peace on earth and
to men of goodwill, which signifies the fourth advent candle.
In the first
reading, there are striking words of David to Nathan the prophet that caught my
attention when he said, “See now, I dwell
in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.” Cedar tree or
wood are expensively valued. This means David lived in an expensive, beautiful
home. When he remembered that the Ark of God dwells inside tent curtains, the
contrast bothered him. He was troubled that he lived in a nicer house than the
Ark of the Covenant. Without being specific, he wanted to build a temple to
replace the tabernacle. Even when God did not ask, he wanted to do something
for God. Nathan also gave a beautiful response to David, he said, “Go, do all that is in your heart; for the
Lord is with you.” He said this to David because it seems good and
reasonable. To do all that is in your heart shows that David’s heart is filled
with this question, “What can I do for God?” David was so filled with gratitude
for God’s glory and he wanted to do something special. While David was
concerned about this, God made a promise to him saying, “I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from
your body, and I will establish his kingdom… Your throne shall be established
forever.” This indicate the lineage of Mary and the genealogy of Christ.
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| Cedar Tree in view of Christmas Tree |
Practically, David’s
feelings is a common phenomenon in the region of Mato Grosso in Brazil, where I had my early missionary experience
as priest. The people generally lives in wood house, what we call “pako house,” even the parish house is
made of wood. So it was a common phenomenon to have a simple tabernacles made
of wood as the dwelling place of God. It
won’t be right when we live in castles, duplex, flats or other mighty
structures and relegate God or the things of God to the lowest of qualities. If
we can give the best to our homes, what about the house of God, the dwelling
place of God? We are to give God the best or at least, something
commeasurable with the society.
At the visit of the angel to Mary in the gospel of
today, she became the Ark of the Covenant, where God dwells. A revelation of
the hidden mystery of the old covenant in the new. The message of the angel
becomes a fulfilment of the promise of God to David. The angel said to her, “Hail,
full of grace, the Lord is with you… Do not be afraid Mary for you have found
favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and
you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and be called the Son of the
Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,
and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom, there
will be no end.” Mary is outstanding in the history of salvation as is so
clear in today’s liturgy. Her humility cannot be overemphasized, she expressed
her feelings saying, “Behold, I am the
handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”
In the second
reading, St. Paul reveals the fact that Christ is the mystery that was kept hidden
for long ages. Christ is the fulfilment of the promise God made to David, a mystery
God concealed in the old covenant. Paul’s message prepares us towards the
incarnation of God’s word, that is Christmas, which is so close at hand and defines
the second part of Advent, 17th to 24th December.
In a nutshell, as
we prepare to welcome Christ, like David, our house can be a point of
reflection for us this week. Is not just the physical decorations of Christmas
that we need. With our human concept of house, there is always an entrance to
the house, which also serves as exit. The house is a place of rest, a place of
comfort, a place of protection and so many other characteristics of the house. Importantly,
the house in theological concept signifies our hearts, where God comes in and
dwell, remembering how Zacchaeus welcomed Christ into his house (Lk 19:1-10). When
God dwell therein in our hearts, we have everything; we have peace of mind. This
peace of mind is the rest the Lord gave to David from all his enemies. Little wonder
did Mary has the sweet title, “Queen of peace.” May the peace of Christ reign
in our hearts both now and forever. Amen! Peace be with you!
Happy Sunday!
Fr. Ken Dogbo,
OSJ
Thank you Padre for this soul lifting peace. We pray that Good opens the light of our minds to welcome I ng Him into our hearts giving Him nothing but the best. That we may look beyond the physical festival preparation but on more of the festival preparation of our hearts for a deeper relationship with Him. Amen. Compliments of the Season
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