FIRST READING
The kingdom of David shall be made sure for ever before the Lord.
A reading from the second Book of Samuel (2 Samuel 7:1-5.8b-12.14a.16)
When King David dwelt in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies round about, the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.” And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart; for the Lord is with you.” But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Would you build me a house to dwell in? I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. “‘And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me; your throne shall be established for ever.”’
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 89:2-3.4-5.27 and 29 (R.2a)
R/. I will sing forever of your mercies, O Lord.
I will sing forever of your mercies, O Lord;
Through all ages my mouth will proclaim your fidelity.
I have declared your mercy is established forever;
your fidelity stands firm as the heavens. R.
“With my chosen one I have made a covenant;
I have sworn to David my servant:
I will establish your descendants forever,
and set up your throne through all ages.” R.
“He will call out to me, ‘You are my father,
my God, the rock of my salvation.’
I will keep my faithful love for him always;
With him my covenant shall last.” R.
SECOND READING
“The mystery which was kept secret for long ages is now disclosed.”
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (Romans16:25-27)
Brethren: To him who is able to strengthen you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed and through the prophetic writings is made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—to the only wise God be glory for evermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
The word of the Lord.
ALLELUIA Luke1:38
Alleluia. Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke1:26-38)
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I know not man?” And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
God made a promise through the prophet Nathan to build an eternal dynasty for David and that his son would sit on the throne of that dynasty. The angel tells us in the Gospel that, that son of David who would sit on his throne forever is Jesus (cf Lk 1:31-32). It is a great privilege for David and Mary to participate in bringing God to the world as man. Three qualities of faith, generosity and selflessness in them disposed them for that privilege. We too need to embrace those qualities in this season so as to make the face of Jesus more visible to the world in need of salvation. May God grant us the grace to persevere in faith, generosity and selflessness and so gain Christ in our life. Amen