DAILY- HOMILY

December 24, 2015 THURSDAY, 4th Week of Advent

[Misa de Gallo - White, with Gloria]

Violet   

2 Sm 7:1 – 5, 8b – 12, 14a, 16 / Lk 1:67 - 79

Reading: 2 Sm 7:1 – 5, 8b – 12, 14a, 16

     Your house and your reign shall last forever before me, and your throne shall be forever firm.

     When the king had settled in his palace and Yahweh had rid him of

all his surrounding enemies, he said to Nathan the prophet, "Look, I live in a house of cedar but the ark of God is housed in a tent." Nathan replied, "Do as it seems fit to you for Yahweh is with you." 

     But that very night, Yahweh's word came to Nathan, "Go and tell my servant David, this is what Yahweh says: Acts Are you able to build a house for me to live in?

     Now you will tell my servant David, this is what Yahweh of hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the sheep, to make you commander of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you went, cutting down all your enemies before you. Now I will make your name great as the name of the great ones on earth. I will provide a place for my people Israel and plant them that they may live there in peace.

     They shall no longer be harassed, nor shall wicked men oppress them as before. From the time when I appointed judges over my people Israel it is only to you that I have given rest from all your enemies. Yahweh also tells you that he will build you a house. When the time comes for you to rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your son after you, the one born of you and I will make his reign secure.

     I will be a father to him and he shall be my son. Your house and your reign shall last forever before me, and your throne shall be forever firm."

Gospel: Lk 1:67 - 79

     Zechariah, filled with holy spirit, sang this canticle, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has come and redeemed his people. He has raised up for us a victorious Savior in the house of David his servant, as he promised through his prophets of old, salvation from our enemies and from the hand of our foes. He has shown mercy to our fathers and remembered his holy covenant, the oath he swore to Abraham, our father, to deliver us from the enemy, that we might serve him fearlessly as a holy and righteous people all the days of our lives. And you, my child, shall be called prophet of the Most High, for you shall go before the Lord to prepare the way for him and enable his people to know of their salvation when he comes to forgive their sins. This is the work of the mercy of our God, who comes from on high as a rising sun shining on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, and guiding our feet into the way of peace."

Reflection:

     In the first reading, King David wanted to build a house for the Ark of the Covenant.  But Yahweh, through the prophet Nathan, tells him that it is he who will build a house for David and make his lineage secure as king of Israel. God is telling him and us that it is he who gives success to his chosen ones. We only have to discern his plans for us and do his bidding day by day.

     In the Gospel reading, God prepares for the birth of his Son by the birth of John the Baptist, who will prepare the way for the Messiah: "And you, my child, shall be called prophet of the Most High, for you shall go before the Lord to prepare the way for him and enable his people to know of their salvation when he comes to forgive their sins. This is the work of the mercy of our God."

     Today is Christmas eve: we rejoice with Zechariah and the Church at the birth of John the Baptist, the Precursor of the Lord, and prepare ourselves with the whole of Christendom and the world for a prayerful and grateful welcome as we celebrate the birth of God's Word as man on Christmas day, "as a rising sun shining on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, and guiding our feet into the way of peace."

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

IN MEMORIAM (+)

     MARIANO R. S. LIM (MAY 6, 1906 – DEC 24, 1994)

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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