HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 4TH WEEK OF ADVENT

Homily for Saturday of the 4th week of Advent 

2 Sam 7:1-5, 8-11,16; Lk 1:67-79

In the first reading of today's liturgy, we can hear David informing prophet Nathan that he wants to build a house for the lord. Nathan gave his consent at first: "Go,  do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you" (2 Sam 7:3). However, later that same night, the word of the Lord came to Nathan: "Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord... I wi make you a house ...your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever" (2 Sam 7:4-5, 11, 16).

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, this prophecy refers to the kingdom of the Messiah. In the Gospel of Luke, the angel Gabriel said to Mary: "You will conceive and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus...the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom, there will be no end" (Lk 1:31-33).

Beloved in Christ, if we build a temple for the Lord even in our hearts, the lord will build for us or give us an everlasting dwelling place in heaven. He says: "if you live me you will keep my word, and my Father will love you, and we will come to you and make our home with you" (Jn 14:23). Let us incessantly cooperate with the Lord for the building of the temple that is each one of us. 

After Zachariah, who was dumb for nine months, had regained his speech at the naming of John the Baptist.  He gave praise to God (Lk 1:67-79) as we read in the Gospel reading of today. This song of praise was rendered by Zachariah otherwise known as the "Benedictus".

He began by acclaiming the visitation of God to his people Israel. He said: "Blessed be the God of Israel, for he has visited his people and redeemed them" (Lk 1:68). An acknowledgment of God's intervention in human history and Jesus is the very center of that history. 

He continued: "He has brought salvation to us and raised a mighty saviour for us" (Lk 1:69). Friends in Christ, salvation is the hallmark of human objective. Without salvation, we are doomed. Christ is the Saviour of humanity. 

The mercy promised to our ancestors (Lk 1:72). "His holy covenant,  the oath, he swore to our ancestors, to Abraham, to grant us that we,  being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days" (Lk 1:73-75). Friends in Christ, it is pertinent to note that our salvation in Christ Jesus consists in the forgiveness of our sins (Lk 1:77). Jesus became that atoning sacrifice for our sins and that of the whole world. 

In doing so, Christ gave light to us who sit in darkness and the shadow of death (Lk 1:79). He says: "I am the light of the world, anyone who follows me will no longer walk in the darkness but in the light of life" (Jn 8:12). He became the lamp for our steps that we may never go astray again but may confidently and courageously trace our part to our heavenly homeland. 

Dearest friends in Christ, we pray in the season of Advent that Jesus the morning star, the radiance of eternal light, the sun of Justice, will come and continuosly enlighten and rescus us who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death. Amen 

May God be glorified in our lives both now and forever more. Amen.