24 December, Sunday — Look back, and look forward with God

4^th Sunday of Advent

2 Sam 7:1-5,8-12,14, 16
Rm 16:25-27
Lk 1:26-38

Listen!

I’m sure many of us are looking at planning for 2024. We are reflecting on what would be good resolutions, what are the things we want to accomplish next year, which days will we be taking leave, and many more. Among those resolutions, hopefully, would be how we can deepen our relationship with God, or how we can serve God better.

In the first reading, David had planned to build a grand dwelling place for the Lord, only to be told the following morning that God had other plans. I would like to share the verses 2 Samuel 7:12-13, as verse 13 was not part of the reading:

¹²And when your days are ended and you are laid to rest with your ancestors, I will preserve the offspring of your body after you and make his sovereignty secure. ¹³(It is he who shall build a house for my name, and I will make his royal throne secure for ever).

In many ways verse 13 was fulfilled. Solomon built a dwelling place for the Lord and later, Mother Mary gave birth to Jesus, whose sovereignty still reigns today. How great is our Lord! David had wanted to build God a house, and God had a greater plan.

In these festive times, it’s so easy to get excited and caught up with all our plans. Some of us might even think that Christmas would be a success if all our plans are accomplished. The first reading reminds us that maybe, we should take a while and spend some quiet time with the Lord, because he has far greater plans than we have. And as we start planning for 2024, we probably have an idea of what we want to do. But is it what God wants us to do?

What I find absolutely beautiful in the first reading is that God did not just tell David ‘no’. He reminded David of all the wonderful graces he has given him. He reminded him how he took David ‘from following the sheep, to be leader of (his) people.’ He reminded David how he saved him from his enemies. I’m sure David never planned to be king, nor did he imagine that he would flee from enemies. God assured David that just as our Lord was with David in the past, our Lord will be with David in the future, and allow God to carry out his plan.

During this Christmas season, may we find time to bring our plans to the Lord, to sit and listen to him as Mother Mary did, and respond, ‘Let it be done to me according to your word.’

(Today’s OXYGEN by Stephanie Villa)

Prayer: Lord, please help me find a quiet time with you, to listen to you, and give me the grace to obey you.

Thanksgiving: Thank you, Lord, for all the blessings you have given me, and for the blessings you will be giving me.