December 24   (from the book: Where is the Child? by Fr. R. Marcos (Makati: St Pauls);  please responsibly acknowledge source when using publicly)   fr tam nguyen’s photo   First Reading:  2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 After [King David] had taken up residence in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from his enemies on every side, the king said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent!” Nathan answered the king, “Whatever is in your heart, go and do, for the Lord is with you.”But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: Go and tell David my servant, Thus says the Lord: Is it you who would build me a house to dwell in? I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to become ruler over my people Israel. I was with you wherever you went, and I cut down all your enemies before you. And I will make your name like that of the greatest on earth.  I will assign a place for my people Israel and I will plant them in it to dwell there; they will never again be disturbed, nor shall the wicked ever again oppress them, as they did at the beginning, and from the day when I appointed judges over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord also declares to you that the Lord will make a house for you: when your days have been completed and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, sprung from your loins, and I will establish his kingdom. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me.  Your house and your kingdom are firm forever before me; your throne shall be firmly established forever. A. Short Background on the First Reading 1. The context of the reading is the steady transfer of power and authority from the house of Saul to the reign of David. The stability of David’s power is assured by the presence of the Ark of the Covenant near his palace. It is a sign of God’s presence and protection for the king and his subjects. David begins to think of a plan to build a temple for the Lord. The temple is not only a religious edifice but reflects the desire to provide a sign of social stratification and political centralization. The reading registers the thought of God through the prophet, indicating divine displeasure towards the temple’s construction. But this rejection of David’s design may also reflect the people’s resistance to the perpetuated presence of a monarchy at the time of the writing of this book. 2. Instead of agreeing to a holy sanctuary to boost God’s glory among men, the Lord recalls to David his munificence towards him: how it was he who established his name, calling him from a most insignificant rural occupation and elevating him at the head of the people. The Lord furthermore assures David that he will be under his protection and he will be given even more honor, and through him, the people of Israel. In response to David’s plan, it is God instead who will build a house for the king. These words of the reading reinforce the blessings on a dynasty issuing from David’s line. Ultimately a king who will be the longed-for Messiah of Israel will come from the family of David. B. Reflections on the First Reading Reflection 1: Abundant Love The relationship of God with the king of Israel is one of love and trust. No wonder, the king is also considered to be God’s son. In the message to David, God lets out a torrent of kindness, a flood of love, a love that is strong and generous. This is how God looked at David his chosen one, the one he ordained to rule after he has taken him from a humble background, because he saw the goodness in young David’s heart. God’s love is not preoccupied with getting something in return. Instead, it is a love that only desires to give, to support, to assist his beloved. And David knew this firsthand. He enjoys authority, riches, victory—all signified by his grandiose palace—from the hand of the Almighty. This Christmas, let us return to a meditation on the abundant love of God. Even in the Old Testament, God is love and his love is faithful. Let us pray that we may learn to love in the way God shows us. May we prove our true love by sharing and giving, and not by gaining benefits for ourselves alone. Reflection 2: God’s Generosity Surely, God must be happy to hear about David’s intention to dedicate a place of worship and honor to his divine majesty. It was to be the king’s gift, a masterpiece of his reign in Israel. God will have his own place among the people, his Ark will be enshrined there and his honor will be celebrated there. God delights when he is served well, adored, and glorified. But it is shocking to hear the Lord’s displeasure, that he refused such act of homage. Why? It is because God is Love, and being Love, he does not delight in receiving for himself.  It is in his nature to give of himself even more. This is the generosity of God, his true nature, and his revealed plan. In the life of David, this generosity is now seen in its beginning and initial stages. However, this will be manifested more fully when the Son of God is born of Mary. The figures of the Old Testament establish the continuity for the ongoing promises of God. But when Jesus comes, there will be a radical newness, a wonderful newness that nobody can surpass. GOSPEL: Luke 1:67-79 Zechariah his father, filled with the holy Spirit, prophesied, saying: “Blessed be the Lord, … Continue reading SIMBANG GABI DAY 9: READINGS AND REFLECTIONS