2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a-16
Psalm 29:2-3
Luke 1:26-38
MORE THAN THEY CAN IMAGINE!
In December 24’s Scripture we find two pivotal people in the life of Jesus: David, Jesus’ Old Testament ancestor and in the New Testament, Mary of Nazareth, Jesus’ Mother. There’s a connection between them. Each of them are faithful and generous in their devotion to God. Both seem to be settled in their life and have some definite plans about what their future would hold.
David is comfortably couched in his palace and feels bad that the God he worships only dwells in a tent; Mary lives simply with her parents, is happily engaged to Joseph and looking forward to their marriage when she would live in his home.
David resolves to build a fitting temple for the Lord, and God seems moved with David’s desire to honor him. But God reminds David of his continual Providence, and has no need for the temple that David plans to build. But, because of David’s expression of love, God makes a covenant with him, promising David a “house, a kingdom” that will last forever.
Mary, in Luke’s Gospel, is asked TO BE God’s temple when the angel Gabriel questioned if she would carry Jesus in her womb and give birth to the “Son of the Most High” to whom God will give the throne of his ancestor David. From her conception Mary had always belonged to God. Yet surely, God was moved by her desire to give him glory by her “Yes”, that continued throughout her life.
With their generosity, both David and Mary got much more than they imagined from our grateful God! David, a kingdom that will last forever; and Mary, a Son Jesus, the fulfillment of God’s promise to his people, who as Son of God is born to us, a Savior, whose life, death and Resurrection is Salvation for the world! God always gives us more than we can imagine!
Sister Mary Louise Swift, CSFN
