Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent
(II Samuel
7:1-5.8-12.141.16; Luke 1:67-79)
Advent is
coming to an end. If its purpose was to
welcome the glorified Christ, it once again goes unfulfilled. Yet this is no reason for loss of hope. Rather with threats of war and the world’s
unraveling, the people must look beyond the comfort of their lives for a viable
resolution of conflict.
Coming
together tonight or tomorrow for mass should renew our hope. The children dressed to see the coming of a
king give reason for Christians to work hard and pray diligently. The number of Christians may be reduced in many
parts. Yet with added effort they can
bear down until Christ makes good his promise to return. They will find in the Eucharist the firm foundation
of the house of which Nathan prophesies in today’s first reading. Like Zachariah in the gospel they will see
their children, educated in the faith, preparing for the day of the great
reversal.
Let us celebrate
joyously the Lord who has already come. His legacy is not just hope but love. We will find him among the many good people by
our side at mass and the Christmas table.
