The Tabernacle to the Logos (ὁ λόγος)
2
Sam 7:1-5,8b-12,14a,16 Rom 16:25-27 Lk 1:26-38 – (B) 4
On t
On this fourth Sunday of Advent, the liturgy
shifts our attention from John the Baptist to Mary, the mother of Jesus. We
read the story of the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary about the birth of
Jesus. The angel Gabriel’s announcement was the immediate beginning of the
building of the holiest tabernacle for Jesus’ birth. The King David said, “See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God
stays in a tent” (2 Sam 7:3). And the compassionate God said, “I will appoint a place
for my people Israel and they may live…. and never be disturbed” (7:10). This
is the promise of God for all the human family, the new Israel. The appointed
place or holiest tabernacle was the womb of mother Mary. He appointed and
prepared her womb “in the fullness of time” (Gal 4:4). This is his sure sign
for the new Israel. And St. Paul reflects and strengthens our faith who says, “…so that all the Gentiles also might come to the obedience to
the only one God …through Jesus Christ forever (Rom 16:27).
Mary was the holy place or living
tabernacle for God to become man like us. Mary was given a choice. The mourning
creation awaited for her answer to give birth to the Sun of Righteousness (Mal
4:2). She could have refused to allow God’s plan to work through her. She could
have agreed grudgingly to the plan, like Zechariah, father of John the Baptist in
the Temple. Or Mary could have rejected God’s plan simply. Rightly St Bernard
wrote, “The prince of our salvation is offered to you. We shall be set free at
once if you consent. In the eternal Word of God, we came to be, and behold, we
die. In your brief response we are to be remade in order to be recalled to
life”. And Mother Mary was open to the Word of God. She allowed the Logos
the Word to enter her and transform her from a simple maiden to the mother of
the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity.
All the creatures are subjects to their creator. The creator has
the authority over his subjects but still he desired for the permission for him
to work in Mary. An ambassador represents the king. When an ambassador
represents bringing the king’s message, he brings the own words of the king.
When Mary was greeted, “Hail Mary full of grace”, it was not the words of the
angel but it was the greetings of God of the armies himself. He sought the
permitting words of Mary, “Thy will be done” to bring forth his salvific plan
in and through her.
Today, the Word of God whispers into our
ears and calls upon us to bring this divine presence within us to others. We do
this by standing up for our faith. We do this by searching out for those who
need his strength. So many people are hurt at Christmas time. People who have
lost loved ones need special attention. People who are wandering need special
care. People who are sick and elderly and wondering if this will be their last
Christmas, need the assurance that God’s love will usher them an eternal Christmas.
In the exemplary response of our mother Mary to God, can our hearts become the
living tabernacles for Jesus? And can our bodies become the living temples for
the Holy Spirit to lead his new Israel to God?
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