Though the prophet Nathan initially accepted the plan, as we heard in the first reading, he eventually returned to inform the king that Yahweh was more concerned with turning David's family into "His House" than with residing in a “house” Himself. He hoped that making Jerusalem the religious center of Israel would ensure the continued loyalty of all twelve tribes. David wanted to build a special Temple in Jerusalem to house the Ark. For over 200 years, the Ark of the Covenant had been a "mobile shrine," kept in a tent so that it could be easily carried to any place to which the people moved or where Yahweh's special presence was needed. Once David had completed the building of his palace, he wanted a more beautiful house to accommodate the Ark of the Covenant representing God’s presence in the midst of His chosen people.
David’s first step was to capture Jerusalem from the Jebusites and make it the political capital of his kingdom. The last Judge, Samuel, anointed for them their first King, Saul, around 1030. Joshua led them on an invasion of Palestine around 1220. This would occur through Joseph, Mary’s betrothed husband and the legal father of her son, as Joseph was "of the House of David." The Gospel narrative also surprises us by reminding us that God’s promise is best fulfilled not in buildings, or even in great kings like Solomon, but rather in humble souls like Mary who trusted in God’s promise.įirst reading explained: The historical background: Moses had led God's people in their escape from Egypt around the year 1250 B.C. Today’s Gospel surprises us by telling us that this final King would be born to an ordinary virgin, not by means of sexual relationship, but through the Holy Spirit, and that this Son of God, Jesus, would become a descendant of David. The second reading surprises us as well with Paul’s explanation of the unveiling of God's plan for human salvation through Jesus. In the Responsorial Psalm (Ps 89), the Psalmist recalls all of God’s promises and surprises us, describing God’s promise to David and his descendants in terms of a Covenant.
The first reading surprises us by telling of God’s promise to David that he would have a long line of royal descendants culminating in a final King, Jesus Christ. Scripture lessons summarized: The unfolding of God's plan of salvation though history has contained many surprises.
They also tell us that God's preparation for the coming of Jesus was full of surprises. In addition, today’s Scripture texts describe God’s promise to David and its fulfillment in Jesus, the Son of David. The Gospel stresses the key role of Mary in the work of our salvation.
Introduction: Today’s readings focus on the circumstances leading up to the first coming of Jesus, the event which sets the pattern for his coming to us now and at the end of time. ? How could Mary know what was happening to her when the angel Gabriel came to her long ago? Only Luke tells this story, and we have it in today’s Gospel. The most popular version is sung by Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd. “Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation? Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?” The song’s been around now for nearly two decades. “Mary, did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod? Mary, did you know when you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God!” Each of the little couplets touches the heart in a wonderful way. In 1984 he was asked to pen some words for his local church choir, and he wrote a poem that began like this, “Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water? Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?” A few years later guitarist Buddy Greene added a perfectly matching tune and a wonderful song was born. He performed for many years with the Gaither Vocal band. Homily starter Anecdote 1) “Mary did you know?” One of the most beautiful of the modern Christmas songs was written by a man who is best known, perhaps, as a comedian.