HE DESCENDED FROM DAVID ACCORDING TO THE FLESH

IV SUNDAY OF ADVENT - Luke 1:26-38

In the history of Israel, David was the greatest king. He defeated the Philistines, who constituted a continuous threat to the survival of the People of God, conquered Jerusalem and established a strong and secure kingdom. After all his victories, he thought of building a temple to the Lord. However, through the prophet Nathan, God asked David: “Are you the man to build me a house to dwell in?” God does not need a house; the whole world is his house. And God told David that it will be the other way round: “The Lord will make you a House.” It is the Lord who cares takes care of us and provides for our needs. He loves and because of that love, he offers us life and salvation.

God made a promise to David, a promise that would be fulfilled in Jesus Christ: “The Lord will make you great; the Lord will make you a House. And 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. I will be a father to him and he a son to me” (2 Sam 7:11-12,14) Although this text referred directly to Solomon, it came to be understood as a promise of the coming of the Messiah, who will come, being God’s Son. 

In his letter to the Romans, Paul speaks of “the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh” (Ro 1:3). At Christmas, we celebrate the mystery of the Incarnation, that is the mystery of the Son of God who assumes the human nature, being “born of a woman” (Gal 4:4) and belonging to the family of David. He is the one who has come to establish a kingdom that will last forever - the Kingdom of God.

In this Sunday’s gospel, we are presented with the Annunciation: God sends an invitation to Mary through the angel Gabriel; God has chosen her to be the mother of the Messiah. And she believed the message and accepted the mission, putting herself totally at the service of God: ““Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” (Lk 1:38).

Mary’s attitude of service must be our attitude, the attitude of all those who chose to be disciples of Jesus Christ. 

Come, Lord Jesus! We are ready to welcome you into our homes and in our hearts. With Mary who welcomed you in her womb, we learn to put ourselves at your disposal: Let you will be done.