Let the Lord enter

Greetings on this the Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent
Readings: Is 7:10-14; PS 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6; Lk 1:26-38
Notes: From the Psalmist today the Church formulates this simple message.

Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.

Whatever our fears.
Whatever our difficulties.

The King has come.
Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.

First reading
Is it not enough for you to weary men,
must you also weary my God?
Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:
the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and shall name him Emmanuel.

Ahaz really had such a difficult time of it and could not imagine anything more than alliance and advantage.

Holding a vassal kingdom to the Assyrians, Ahaz is generally considered to be an evil king.

Whatever the reason (lacking courage and vision and trust in the Lord are the most often cited reasons), he agreed to the destruction of true worship.

He walked in the way of the kings of Israel; he even immolated his child by fire, in accordance with the abominable practices of the nations whom the LORD had dispossessed before the Israelites. Further, he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on hills, and under every green tree (2 Kg 16:3-4).

His fear was his god.
He was unable to let the Lord enter who is the king of glory.

Responsorial Psalm
Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.

Alleluia Verse
O Key of David,
opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom:
come and free the prisoners of darkness!

Gospel Portion
As unable Ahaz was to trust the Lord, Mary was completely trusting in the Lord.

The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.

Overshadow: superior to the question or issue. There are many instances in sacred Scripture where the Lord overshadows.
My other favorites are:

• God’s Presence in the Tabernacle. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/exodus/40?34
• Transfiguration. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/17?5 and following.

The LORD will overshadow her virginity by the power of the Holy Spirit. Preserving her virtue and giving her her child.

Mary’s Yes is the root of our Yes as well.
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”

Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry