DAILY- HOMILY

December 24, 2017 - 4th SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Violet

[Misa de Gallo, White, with Gloria]

2 Sm 7: 1-5. 8b-12, 14a,16 / Rom 16: 25 -27 / Lk 1: 26- 38

FROM THE FIRST READING:          2 Sm 7:12,16

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

From the GOSPEL READING:        Lk 1: 26 - 35, 38

     In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. He was sent to a young virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

     The angel came to her and said, "Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you." Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean.

     But the angel said, "Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you. You shall conceive and bear a son and you shall call him Jesus. He will be great and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the kingdom of David, his ancestor; he will rule over the people of Jacob forever and his reign shall have no end."

     Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be if I am a virgin?" And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the holy child to be born shall be called Son of God." ...

     Then Mary said, "I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said."

REFLECTION

     The Gospel about the Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel to Mary celebrates God's goodness and love for us in the incarnation as man of his only-begotten Son and the generous "Yes" of the maiden Mary, who opened her heart and being to the will of God.

     In the first reading the prophet Nathan tells David about his descendant whose reign will last forever; the Angel Gabriel mentions the same to Mary about her coming Child, "The Lord God will give him the kingdom of David, his ancestor; he will rule over the people of Jacob forever and his reign shall have no end."

     Like St. Ignatius of Loyola we can only stand in wonder and gratitude at the Trinity's love for us, "They decree in their eternity that the Second Person should become man to save the human race. So when the fullness of time had come, they send the Angel Gabriel to our Lady."

     We are most grateful to Mary for accepting God's invitation for her to be the Mother of the Messiah. Mary gave us an outstanding and unique model of deep abiding faith in God and a desire for the promises of God to be fulfilled. May we have similar trust in the Lord: we ask for her intercession in accepting whatever happens

to us, good and bad, with a lot of uncertainty and risks.

     As we end the Advent season, we ask for "openness" to God's urgings and plans for us. Like Mary, we offer ourselves to God's designs for us, "I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said."

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     ACERO ALANDEL

IN MEMORIAM (†)

     TIN HONG (NOV 23, 1906 ·DEC 24, 198 7)

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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