＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

２Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16

When the king had settled in his palace

And Yahweh had rid him of all his surrounding enemies, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Look, I live in a house of cedar but the Ark of God is housed in a tent.” Nathan replied, “Do as it seems fit to you for Yahweh is with you.”

But that very night, Yahweh’s word came to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, this is what Yahweh says: Are you able to build a house for me to live in?

Now you will tell my servant David, this is what Yahweh of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the sheep, to make you commander of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you went, cutting down all your enemies before you.

Now I will make your name great, as the name of the great ones on earth. I will provide a place for my people Israel and plant them that they may live there in peace. They shall no longer be harassed, nor shall wicked men oppress them as before.

Form the time when I appointed judges over my people Israel it is only to you that I have given rest from all your enemies. Yahweh also tells you that he will build you a house.

When the time comes for you to rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your son after you, the one born of you; and I will make his reign secure. I will be a father to him and he shall be my son. If he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod, as men do. Your house and your reign shall last forever before me, and your throne shall be forever firm.”

 

Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29(2a)

Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

 

＊＊＊ 2nd Reading ＊＊＊

Romans 16:25-27

 He is able to give you strength, according to the Good News I proclaim, announcing Christ Jesus. Now is revealed the mysterious plan kept hidden for long ages in the past.

By the will of the eternal God it is brought to light, through the prophetic books, and all nations shall believe the faith proclaimed to them.  Glory to God, who alone is wise, through Christ Jesus, for ever! Amen.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊]

Luke 1:26-38

 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. He was sentto a young virgin who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

The angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean.  But the angel said, “Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you. You shall conceive and bear a son and you shall call him Jesus. 

 He will be great and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the kingdom of David, his ancestor; he will rule over the people of Jacob for­­ever  and his reign shall have no end.”  Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be if I am a virgin?”

 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 holy child to be born shall be called Son of God. Even your relative Elizabeth is expecting a son in her old age, although she was unable to have a child, and she is now in her sixth month.

With God nothing is impossible.”  Then Mary said, “I am the hand­maid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said.” And the angel left her.

 

Gospel Reflection：

Read:

The focus of the readings this Sunday is the “dwelling place of God.” In our 1^st reading David expressed his desire to build a Temple for God that would house the precious Ark of the Covenant, but God told him it would be his son who would build the temple.

The real temple of God, though, will be Mary, the Mother of Jesus who is honored with the title “Ark of the Covenant!” thus, the Archangel Gabriel announced to Mary the good news: “Hail full of grace, the Lord is with you….for you shall conceive the Son of God!”

Reflect:

The Ark of the Covenant of the Old Testament was kept in the Holy of Holies. It contained the 10 commandments (the covenant terms between God and Israel), the rod of Moses, the staff of Aaron, and bread.

Mary, chosen by God from eternity, will carry in her womb the most Holy Son of God! How awesome this mystery! The promise of God in the Old Testament is fulfilled in the New Testament with the cooperation of Mary, the true “Ark of the Covenant!”The first Temple of God is none other than Mary!

Pray:

One of the most beautiful prayers is certainly “The Hail Mary!” It is not only a very biblical prayer but it is the prayer of no less than the Archangel Gabriel who stands in the Holy Presence of God. When, therefore, we pray the Ave Maria on our rosary beads we pray like the angels and with the angels! How blessed an privileged are we!

Act:

The best contemplative prayer is the Rosary. St. Padre Pio prayed the Rosary continuously. So much mercy and so many miracles flow from praying the Rosary! Be a contemplative!