Today's message is
that we, like Mary and David, are asked to make room for God in our lives, and
by doing so, we extend our love - love that we did not know we had to others.
It surprises us and it wholly pleases us. We enjoy good relations when we live
out of this grace.
We contemplate King David sitting in
comfort and splendor in his finely appointed palace that was just built to
honor him. He subdued his neighboring enemies and built Israel into a kingdom
that finally takes its place among nations. The new sturdy home was meant to
give him lasting security where he can recline without worry because of his
many diplomatic and military accomplishments. Instead of taking pleasure in his
new abode, he immediately thinks about the discomfort God must experience for
being housed within a flimsy tent.
David's lament shows his compassion
for God. He realizes that the comforts of this world are fleeting and that the
transitory aspects of life cannot bring anyone ultimate happiness and
satisfaction. He is moved to build a better, more sturdy home for God because
God is the cause of his success.
Somehow, when we experience abundance,
we instinctively share our good fortune with others who have less than we do.
We are never content with excesses when others go without. Fortunately, our
conscience makes amends to alleviate the plight of others and we become more
sensitive to our responsibility for others.
David wants to set things right with God
and since he has considerable power and influence, he unilaterally decides what
he will do for God other - without even asking. Everyone, even God, needs
freedom to accept generosity or to declare what one wants. Too often, those who
are influential and powerful think they know what a less fortunate person wants
and needs and sets out to provide it for them. Everyone needs to be seen and heard.
A greater injustice is perpetuated when one's free will is overlooked. In David's
case, God needs the space to speak.
God turns the table on David. God is
not asking for a better residence; David merely wants something better for him.
God tells David, "Mind your business. Enjoy what I have given you because
it is through your descendants that the Messiah will come. Rest secure in my providence."
God will exalt David's house and will establish it as one that will withstand
the challenges over time. David has to realize that this favor is not brought
about through his accomplishments, David's power comes from God.
We then hear of Luke's announcement that
the plan formed long ago by God is being realized. David's house will remain
strong because Mary's son will be brought up within the Davidic tradition and
through it the world's salvation will come. Notice the way God and the angel
Gabriel gently use their influence and give space to others so God's will can
be heard, respected, and integrated.
Contemplate, if you will, what it was
like for Gabriel when the Trinitarian God summoned him and told him of the
divine plan to bring salvation to the world. I wonder what God was feeling as God
realized, "this is finally the moment." I can imagine God holding
himself steady with a vulnerable excitement. Good news is to be shared and I
suspect even God was exploding interiorly in happiness.
Did Gabriel wonder why, of all the
angels, he was singled out for this special role? I bet Gabriel was anxious for
the meeting with God and it increased when God began the conversation. God must
have eased his fears and calmed him down to receive the news of this long-hoped
for salvific plan. He was probably blown away when he heard God speak of
his vision for the world. Most dear to him is that he comes to know of God's
heartfelt compassion for the peoples of the world. It must take Gabriel a while
to digest all this with emotions running sky-high in knowledge that God is
doing something extraordinary. The universe has groaned in expectation long
enough because it sees how far the people have moved away from God. Now this
happy day is drawing close.
I'm sure Gabriel needed time to figure
out the ways he would approach the young girl from Palestine and tell her the
tremendous news. He surely did not want to come on too strong. God never acts
with force or violence. Gabriel must have approached her successively and with
care so that she would have been familiar with him. Otherwise, the news might
be too awe-invoking. After all, she is still just a young woman.
With great sensitivity, he found a
particular way to approach her and had an initial conversation to break the
ice. He needed courage because a false step could ruin everything. He had to
master words and feelings and empathy in order to be with this girl. Once the
conversation ended, he must have departed in a way that provided her with
consolation and courage. I imagine that he was deeply invested in her answer
and that he watched over her after she became pregnant, especially as she felt
alone among her human companions. I reckon that he stayed close for a while
because he cared for her and for the child who was being formed. He worried
about them and Joseph, who he would soon visit. Gabriel's job was not finished.
More announcing soon will be done. More hearts need to be opened. God needs
more space to dwell among us.
These next few days the pace of the wondrous
events of the nativity story speeds up. It is as if we too are participating in
and experiencing the labor as we approach the day. Pairing the stories of King
David and Mary paints a perspective for us that shows God is always at work for
our salvation. These stories, like a love letter, show God's deep yearning for
us with intimate concern for our well-being. It reveals a great love story -
the love God has for us- and the lengths God will go to bring us back. The
story reminds us to find ways to give God space to be among us.
God has always been faithful and will
always be. God will always recreate ways to come into our lives. As we realize
this, we can let go of some of our fears and anxieties and place some of our
turmoil in proper perspective. Fundamentally, all of us want to know if God
cares for us and identifies with our chaotic suffering. We want intimate,
first-hand knowledge of this. God's abiding love transforms our anxieties. This
is why it is fascinating to watch this week unfold because God gently reaches
into the deep recesses of our lives and builds his home among us. Be generous to
God and let God be generous to you this week. God is near. God is near, indeed.
Like Mary and King David, give God space to in your house to dwell with you.
Your being will be like Gabriel. It will emerge as an outwardly exploding love for
others. It will announce the glorious good news to many who are desperately waiting
to hear it.
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