Theme: Obedience brings true freedom!

“Obedience”, never a popular practice, is the only way to true freedom. We can sometimes become very selective in our renewal programme. We have the example of God who is true to the Promise, faithful and obedient to the undertaking given to David. We have the example of the young woman Mary - the woman of faith,  and her words, “let what you have said be done to me.” What happy blessings this obedience brings to fallen humankind!

First Reading:

Second book of Samuel [7: 1-5, 8-11,16]

Notice the play upon the word ‘house’. There is the physical building, the need for God’s house to be built to replace the  fragile tent of Meeting where the Ark of the Covenant was housed while the nomadic Israelites wandered in the desert places. The other “house” is the David family line - the House of David from which Royal line the Messiah Saviour King will be born.

Second Reading:

Apostle Paul Letter to the Romans [ 16: 25-27]

The message of faith is to be broadcast to all - to bring all to the obedience of faith. The wisdom of God is so clear that it fulfils all our needs. This is all part of God’s plan as revealed in the scriptures, and in the living person and teaching of Jesus now so very clear to us.

Gospel Reading:

Gospel according to Luke [1: 26-38]

Link that first reading today with the fact that the child that will be born comes form the line of King David. God’s ancient promise being fulfilled. Thus God’s Power over shadows Mary as it did the much revered great King David. Now Mary, is to become a dwelling place for the Lord, and Mary as the figure of God’s People also marks Christian people today through their obedience of faith, as the dwelling place of God. Once again God’s People are to see the power of God at work among them, bringing new life and the freedom of the Children of God.