Fourth Sunday of Advent
Today’s readings present us with two stories. The first story is the story of David, only the second King of Israel. He had just given the kingdom some stability. The borders were secure and David had built himself a new palace. The Ark of the Covenant, however, was in a mere tent. David felt troubled by this fact. How can the Ark be in a tent while he lives in a palace? He decides to build a temple for God. Normally, one would admire David for his desire to do something good for God. But if we go a little deeper, does it not seem ridiculous that a mere human being could think that he could build a dwelling place for a God who created the universe? As if the most magnificent structure we build could hold the power and majesty of God! I do not want to be unfair to David because David’s intention was good and holy. But God wanted David to learn that he must live by God’s will rather than the opposite. And so God’s action is meant to put David’s thinking in line with God’s will. God tells David that God would build a house for David instead.
The second story is that of Mary. Unlike David, she was not from a royal family and did not live in a free nation. She was poor and the last thing she could do was build a temple for God. However, she did something far greater than that! Mary became God’s temple. She carried in her womb, the Son of God. The only will Mary knew was God’s will. In ways David never could, Mary surrendered her will to God totally for eternity. And for this all generation call her “blessed.”
In three points, I would like draw out the implications of today’s reading for us. And because these implications are about “will,” they are a difficult implications.
- First, God has given us two great gifts: free will and rationality. Using these two gifts we can take responsibility for our lives and make crucial decisions. Is it not true that we are constantly making decisions for our lives and for those we love? But sometimes, even though we make rational decisions, our will can be at odds with God’s will. For example, David wanted to build a Temple for God but God had very different plans. I was ordained in India but here I am in Dayton. I am sure if you looked at your life, may be God has led you in a very different direction. Mary also rationalized. How could she give birth to a child without relations with a man? Both David and Mary face the kind of turmoil that we face each day. In our intellect and will we know how things should go for us. However, the real challenge is that using our intellect we surrender our wills to God like Mary did. She said, “Let it be done to me according to thy will” (Lk 1:38). God does not us want to give up our rationality. Rather, like Mary, our challenge is to freely bring our will to confirm to God’s will. This is a life-long project. This requires prayer, and being familiar with the words, the thoughts, and the life of Jesus. This requires falling in love the story of our redemption. Don’t pray, “May it be done according to your will,” unless your spiritual life is ready to do God’s will.
- Second, surrendering our will to God is a great act of faith. Surrendering our wills to God makes the future look uncertain. Surrendering our will to God makes us lose control over our own lives. That is why David was more comfortable of making decisions concerning God’s temple. Mary on the other hand gave up that control. In fact, once the angel left her after the annunciation, her life took her in directions that she of her own accord, perhaps would not choose. It was only her undaunted faith that kept her faithful to her original surrender. Praying “Thy will be done” is a huge risk. Surrendering our wills may mean forgiving someone we have held long-time grudges against, sharing more selflessly of our wealth, being more available to someone in the family, embrace the priesthood or religious life, chose a life-partner who is, more than anything else, godly, making a commitment to worship each Sunday, getting rid of our prejudices and our negative image of God. Surrendering our will to God is an act of faith.
- Third, in both the stories of David and Mary there is good news. Two people who completely surrendered their will to God brought about the greatest good. When I look at Mary’s life microscopically, I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been for her. Her day to day life must have been a nightmare. As a mother she suffered much for Jesus. But if I take a bird’s eye view of her life, then I see that it was all meant for something greater that we could ever imagine. Jesus too, surrendered his will to God. As a result death itself was conquered. I know you are busy getting ready to celebrate Jesus’ birth. But what about our wills? If we find the faith to surrender our wills to God, God can accomplish much more that we can ever imagine. May this Christmas be a time when we not merely give a gift to Christ; may we give our wills to Christ.
Christmas is not the only story that celebrates the union of human and God’s will. This Eucharist is another story that celebrates the perfect alignment of God’s will and human will. As we receive Christ in the Eucharist, let us also surrender our will to the God who saves us. May we find the faith to surrender our wills like Mary did. Amen.
- Fr. Satish Joseph