Daily Catholic Lectio
Sunday, 24 December 2023
Fourth Sunday of Advent
2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14-16. Romans 16:25-27. Luke 1:26-36
Let it be done to me!
The events of our lives could be classified into two categories: (a) The events that we make it happen – here, we are the agents of action. Our plans, journeys, efforts, and initiatives will fall under this category. These events are under our control. We can stop or control these events. However, these events make us anxious, hasty, and restless. (b) The events that happen to us – here, we are the recipients of action. The unexpected help that we receive, the kindness that someone shows us, etc. fall under this category. These events are not under our control. We can’t stop or change their course. However, these events give us internal freedom and make our lives grow by leaps and bounds.
The liturgy of the word invites us to let go of the activities that we do and to embrace the activities that happen to us.
In the gospel reading, we have the annunciation narrative. The angel Gabriel spells out all the things that have happened to Mary: ‘full of grace,’ ‘the Lord is with you,’ ‘you have found favour with God,’ ‘you will conceive a son,’ ‘the power of the Most High will overshadow you.’
Mary’s response is inspiring to us. Mary says, ‘Let it be done according to your word.’ She does not say, ‘I shall do it according to your word,’ or ‘I shall do it.’
The first reading brings a narrative from the life of King David. David establishes the United Kingdom of Israel. The land is at rest. Now his heart turns to God. He wants to build a Temple for God. The Lord God makes a twist in the story. He makes David understand his humble origin: ‘I called you when you were shepherding the sheep,’ ‘I killed the enemies,’ and ‘I made your fame great.’ God makes a king out of a shepherd.
The Lord invites him to a paradigm shift. David is moved from ‘let me do it’ to ‘let you do.’ Further, the Lord gives him a promise: ‘I shall build a house for you.’ Here, house refers to David’s dynasty. In the Messianic reading, this promise is fulfilled through Jesus. Gabriel announces to Mary that ‘the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.’
David and Mary summon us to move from ‘the events that we make happen’ to ‘the events that happen to us.’ Often times, we want to do a lot of things, and a lot of things for God. We continuously run from one thing to another. We forget to allow God to do things for us.
When the people of Israel were led from Egypt, they were afraid of the Pharaoh and the Red Sea. The Lord, through Moses, told them, ‘Be still. The Lord will fight you’ (cf. Exod 14:14). The Lord knew that in Egypt, the people were just brick-makers. It is enough that they allow the Lord to fight.
The candle that we light today signifies ‘love.’ Love too could be classified into the above categories: ‘love what we show,’ and ‘love that is shown to us.’ The love that we show at times may be mixed with hesitation, fear, prejudice, and disappointment. But the love that is shown to us is a gift that needs to be celebrated.
Let us try to own an attitude of surrender as Mary owned: ‘let it be done to me according to your word.’ This attitude removes David’s anxiety and Mary’s fear.
What are the advantages of having the attitude of surrender?
(a) It gives us internal freedom. Obedience brings us a lot of freedom. A father who crosses a road feels it is a responsibility, but for a child who holds on to his father’s finger, it is a mere play.
(b) We grow in patience and tolerance. To accept not only that which happens to us but also the people who come to us.
(c) We develop humility, realising that we can’t do everything. Often times, we want to do everything in life. But soon we realise that we can’t do much.
What are the obstacles that we need to overcome?
(a) Averting overconfidence and pride. This was David’s problem. He presumed that his kingdom, growth, and fame came on account of his own merits. In his pride, he proposes to build a house for God. But God, pointing to the graces that he has received, invites him to trust and confidence.
(b) ‘How can this be possible?’ This question of Mary emerges in our hearts as well. But Mary posts this question to God, while we post it to ourselves. When we post the question to ourselves, we grow impatient.
(c) To bring everything under our control. We try to bring things and people under our control. But, in the final analysis, we hardly have control over anything or anybody.
Pope Francis, in his apostolic letter Patris Corde (2020), says that Joseph let the rudder of his boat be in the hands of God. Joseph enjoyed his inner peace while letting God ride his boat.
May Blessed Virgin Mary and Blessed Joseph intercede for us that we may always surrender to God, saying, ‘Let it be done to me according to your word.’
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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