AVAILABILITY TO GOD'S CALL
Reflection for 4th
Sunday of Advent, Year B
(2 Sam 7:1-5, 8-12,
14, 16; Rm 16:25-27; Lk 1:26-38)
We are rounding up Advent season and
warming up to usher in Christmas. In the first reading, we see David with his
good intention to build a house for God. It sounded so righteous and acceptable
even to Nathan the prophet. But God declared that He Himself would build an
everlasting dynasty for David. The righteousness of David would now be to
accept what God was offering; to dispose himself to the plan of God. Similarly,
St Paul says in the Second reading that the Gospel is preached to bring about ‘obedience
of faith.’ As the hidden mysteries are revealed to us through the preaching of
the Gospel, we are expected to respond to its demands, and allow it to pull us
to God’s plan of salvation in Christ Jesus.
Mary’s answer to the Angel, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word,” has become a sort of format for every authentic response to the Gospel message. The obedience of faith we give to God’s plan of salvation every day silently models after Mary’s response. The best of our good intentions can easily be misguided. That is why our righteousness lies on our availability and cooperation with God’s grace to fulfil His will in our lives. All our goodwill and virtuous acts become means of disposing ourselves to respond without reserve to God’s grace. Therefore, we echo Mary’s response this Advent as Christmas dawns. We incline our hearts to Mary’s Immaculate Heart, that her maternal help will prepare us to welcome Jesus without reservation. Amen.
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic
Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday December 20th,
2020.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com
