Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk
Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B – Nov 24, 2017.
Readings: 2 Sam.
7-1-5.8b-12.14a.16; Ps 89:2-3.4-5.27.29(R.2a);
2 Rom. 16:25-27; Gospel Luke
1:26-38.
Theme: The Joy of Waiting!
Introduction
Friends in Christ, I welcome you heartily to the
fourth and the last Sunday of Advent. By now, the Church expects that our
spiritual preparation for Christmas has climaxed. At least these four Sundays
have afforded us the rare opportunity of doing some introspection about our
spiritual lives so as to set the records right. In her wisdom, the Church
expects that by now, Christ would find a place in the Inn of our hearts. Our
reflection today shall explore the “The Joy of Waiting.” It shall also dig deep
into the fabric of the Sacred Texts in search for a spiritual meal which is
expected to sustain us throughout the yuletide season and beyond.
A Résumé of Our Liturgical
Readings
Our first reading (2 Sam. 7-1-5.8b-12.14a.16) points
to the remote stages of the family tree of Jesus who comes from the Davidic
dynasty. By stating that “your house and your sovereignty will always stand
secure before me and your throne be established forever,” the reading is not
only a pointer to Jesus but also suggestive of what would later be
characterised as the Emmanuel-events. As Christians, we can look with hindsight
and conveniently appropriate the prophecy of old by associating it with the
messiah we await at Christmas.
Much in the same manner, St. Paul describes him in the
second reading (2 Rom. 16:25-27) as “the revelation of a mystery kept secret
for endless ages, but now so clear that it must be broadcast to pagans
everywhere to bring the obedience of faith.” He adds without mincing words that
“this is only what scripture has predicted, and it is all part of the way the
eternal God wants things to be.” By implication, the mystery that was foretold
through the prophets it now made manifest to gentiles. This is done to achieve
the obedience of faith in accordance with the ancient prophesies.
The gospel reading (Luke 1:26-38) recounts the
traditional annunciation by the angel Gabriel. In keeping with the promises of
old, the Blessed Virgin Mary accepts to be the worthy mother of the saviour who
comes from the Davidic line. Mary’s willingness to undertake a divine task she
knows nothing or little about strikes us deeply about her docile persona. Here
was a virgin eagerly waiting for the day of her wedding to her expected spouse,
Joseph. She had defied the thought of defiling herself before marriage and prepared
herself for her prospective husband.
