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The Athenaeum of Ohio
The Archdiocese
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Fourth Sunday of Advent
2 Samuel 7:1-16; Romans 16-25-27; Luke 1:26-38
Father Timothy P. Schehr
With Christmas Day so near, our minds may be preoccupied with countless last-minute
preparations. All this busy ness may distract us from the true meaning of Christmas. The
readings for this Sunday help us focus on what we truly celebrate this time of year.
This is Gabriel’s second appearance in the Gospel. His first mission was to Zechariah
to announce that this priest and his wife, Elizabeth, would have a son. But the joy of
that announcement was diminished by Zechariah’s doubts and imposed silence. This
second mission of Gabriel in the Gospel will meet with Mary’s unconditional
acceptance of God’s word.
Gabriel is just the right messenger to make these announcements since they fulfill the
word he had delivered to Daniel centuries earlier. As Daniel prayed for deliverance for
his oppressed people, Gabriel came to declare that, in due time, the people would be
restored (Daniel 9).
Luke tells us two things about Mary that reveal her to be just the right one to fulfill
Isaiah’s prophecy concerning Immanuel (Isaiah 7): she is a virgin, and she is
betrothed to a member of the house of David. Gabriel’s greeting also reveals her to
be unique for her complete devotion to God.
Like her relative, Zechariah, Mary also wonders how Gabriel’s words will be
fulfilled. Silence was imposed on Zechariah for his lack of faith because there was the
precedent of Abraham and Sarah. But, Mary’s question is reasonable given the fact
that Gabriel’s news that this is the sixth month for the aged Elizabeth “who was
called barren” Though a relative, Mary had not heard this news and hears it now for
the first time from Gabriel. Little wonder that Mary goes “in haste” to visit
Elizabeth. Mary gives the perfect response to Gabriel’s words. She is a true servant
of God. And the notice of Gabriel’s departure is appropriate because the Holy Spirit
now comes upon her, and the power of the Most High overshadows her.
The first reading introduces another divine word fulfilled by Gabriel’s declaration
to Mary. Nearly 1,000 years earlier, God promised David that his house would “stand
firm forever.” This divine message expands on David’s own plans to build a house
(temple) for God. Even the collapse of the kingdom and the exile to Babylon did not
nullify God’s promise because its true significance was in the realm of the
spiritual: God would never allow the house of David to disappear as a source of faith for
the people of the word.
And, of course, this promise was fulfilled with the coming of Jesus, son of David.
The second reading is the conclusion to Paul’s Letter to the Romans in which he
develops the great theme of Jesus as the source of salvation for all. The apostle
fittingly closes his letter giving glory to God who so graciously brought the plan of
salvation to fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
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