Homily for Fourth Sunday of Advent - Cycle B

2Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-11, 16; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38

Fr. Antony Akkanath

Sometimes our plans may not go in line with the plan of God for us. In those moments it is always better to submit humbly to His plans rather than sticking to our plans and designs. When God calls us to participate in His projects and plans, it is natural that we may have many questions and doubts about such a call. God never forces anyone to accept his call or invitation; he only proposes, He only invites, but He always respects our freedom, even He gives us the freedom to refuse it. We also have the freedom to ask Him questions when we do not understand His plans and designs for us. We can see numerous examples of this in human salvation history.

In the First reading taken from 2 Samuel 7: we heard the that a worried King David sharing his concerns to his spiritual director prophet Nathan that while he slept in his room with all the safety and comfort of his Palace, without feeling any cold of the winter or the heat of the summer, the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the two tablets bearing the Ten Commandments that were given to Moses by God, was kept under a tent and had no proper home. (For every Israelite the Ark of the Covenant was the Presence of God with them). King David told Nathan his plans to build a temple or at least a sacred structure, to keep the Ark of the Covenant and exalt its greatness. But the Lord reveals to him through Prophet Nathan that it will be God Himself who would find a home among men. So David's noble intention to build a suitable abode for God became an occasion, through the prophet Nathan, to communicate to David and all Israelites, the revelation of a divine plan for him and his descendants.

St. Paul, after having received this revelation of the mystery of Christ, says in his letter to the Romans that this divine plan and mystery was “hidden for ages by God,” and “kept secret for long ages but it is now disclosed to the entire humanity.

The realization of this Project of God, actually would take place in the long-awaited wonder of Bethlehem, when God came down from heavens to dwell among us (John 1, 14). With the birth of Jesus, God would take up His residence among us, coming from the same lineage of King David. The abode God chose for Himself was none other than Mary - an ordinary young woman from Nazareth. And Mary became the living abode of God among us; and thus became the mother of the entire humanity.

The Annunciation event, which we heard in today’s Gospel, Luke narrates about the invitation from God the Father coming to Mary asking her permission to be the mother of God. In this episode of Annunciation we find there are two moments of Mary where she is disturbed and confused but never hesitate to clear her doubts and fears;

When the Angel greeted her calling her as a woman “full of Grace or as the Most Favoured one of God’ her reaction to such a greeting was complete confusion and she was also disturbed as to what such a greeting could mean. Mary is greeted as “Full of Grace” When we study about different Biblical characters, among those countless characters in the Bible, we find that only Moses (Ex 3:12), Jeremiah (Jer 1:8), Gideon (Judge 6:12) were greeted somewhat similar words with entrusting an important mission in God’s plan.It reveals an unparalleled fondness of God for Mary and His pre- planned intention to involve her in His project of human salvation. For many centuries God had manifested his intention to intervene beneficially in the history of men, to redeem them from the miserable condition as sinners; God realizes that His project of becoming human, He requires the collaboration of a Sinless and Most Graceful person on earth: And in Mary, God found the most suitable and graceful person for His project of Human Salvation. Mary’s role in salvation history is very important because the Son of God took human nature from her, her role is even more significant because God did it by not forcing her to accept his plan of human salvation.

We find Mary, even though she knows the importance of the mission which is entrusted to her, she is so practical in her questions and doubts. She knows very well that her state as a virgin and not having contact with a man, humanly speaking, is an impossibility of conceiving a child.

But to all her fears and doubts’ the answer given by angel Gabriel is the most comforting words in times of uncertainty, fear and doubts. “Do not fear, The Lord is with you.” The Holy Spirit of God is powerful and able in order to make possible things which seem impossible.

Such words of comfort are so important in times of doubts and uncertainties for us. ‘Nothing is impossible with God’. It is the best biblical quote to sum up the event of the Nativity of our Lord and the entire salvation history.

Once the angel clarified all doubts and questions of Mary, she surrendered completely to God’s plans and as a handmaid of God was ready to endure all that would come on her way. And after accepting the call to be the Mother of God, she never complained to God. Even amidst the most disturbing and uncertain moments she was very calm and very peaceful. Mary, throughout her life was marked by so many struggles and trials, always trusted in God. Her beauty lies in the fact that she is mother and the true disciple of Jesus. For Jesus, the virtue which stood out in her character was her complete obedience to God’s will. As in Mark 3:35 He says "whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother”.

My dear brothers and sisters, we are in the fourth Sunday of Advent, and after a few days we will celebrate Christmas. The readings of today remind us to be calm and peaceful amidst all trials, tribulations, doubts and uncertainties. Christmas is a time to feel the assurance from God asking us not to Fear but Trust. To believe in the Almighty for whom nothing is impossible. It is a time to feel the peace of God even amidst trials, pain, sufferings, loneliness, struggles and inconveniences. The struggles and troubles that Mary and Joseph had to endure to participate in God’s plan of human salvation is a great example for all of us during these pandemic times. Mary and Joseph teach us to be strong and faithful through their life of complete trust in God's plan. This also shows that God knows how to win over our initial hesitations to His call. Even though our Christmas celebration this year is the most painful and uncertain one, our faith in God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Power of Holy Spirit, will definitely help us to grasp in a better way, the profound meaning of every challenging life situations and trust completely in God's plan for each one of us. In the midst of all turmoil and problems that we are facing in the world today, we must always trust in Jesus our Saviour, who knows how to make possible what seems impossible.