Dec 20, 2020 - 4th Sunday in Advent

(2 Sam 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Rom 16:25-27; Lk 1:26-28)

In the First Reading, the Lord promised David: “I will raise up your heir after you. . . . Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever.” This is the promise of promises for the Jews. It meant that they would one day have a king whose kingdom would last forever.

In the Gospel, the Angel Gabriel tells Mary that her child will inherit “the throne of David his father… and of his kingdom there will be no end.” The angel’s declaration is an explicit claim that the great promise made in God’s covenant with David has now been fulfilled.

Take some time today to reflect on the words of Bishop Robert Barron on Mary’s fiat or “yes” at the Annunciation: “The greatest of the Advent figures makes her appearance in the Gospel for today. Mary the mother of God is the new Eve, the one who, through her expectation and obedience, undid the sin of Eve and Adam. They tried to seize God’s gifts; Mary accepted them as grace.”

• Do you try to “seize” gifts from God? What do you grasp at? How can you better receive his gifts rather than trying to take them for yourself?
• The primary themes of today’s readings are hope and joy. As we enter into this last week of the Advent season, are joy and hope reigning in your heart?
• The Blessed Mother is a model for all of us, but often times, we forget her. Jesus gave us the gift of his mother as one of his very last actions before he died. Have you taken Mary for your mother? What kind of relationship do you have with her? What kind of relationship do you want to have with her?