Greetings on this the Saturday of the Fourth Week of Advent
Mass in the Morning
Readings: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; PS 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29; Lk 1:67-79
Notes: So excited! Merry Christmas!!
Today’s readings are special in an additional way. The Saturday of the Fourth Week of Advent is read only every seven years except leap year calculations mess that up. So, we simply say about every seven years we get a full fourth week of Advent.
What did the Church choose for this special event?
A focus, not unique by itself, but unique in its selection. It is worthy of our pondering today as we prepare to recall his first coming and prepare for his second coming.
Asserting even on the rarest of days:
- God’s House is a tent. A tent or tabernacle within you!
- His kindness is forever. Jesus is the manifestation of the tender compassion of our God.
- He has come incarnate for our salvation.
The LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a person speaks to a friend (Ex 33:11). - He is the way of peace.
Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God dwells in a tent!
Give thanks to the Lord with righteousness, and bless the King of the ages, so that your tabernacle may be rebuilt in you with joy (Tobit 13:10a).
Alternate translation:
Praise the Lord for his goodness,
and bless the King of ages,
so that his tent may be rebuilt in you with joy.
First reading
But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said: “Go, tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: Should you build me a house to dwell in?
I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his Kingdom firm. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. Your house and your Kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.’”
It is the Lord who provides:
- A place to worship.
- A life to lead.
- A way of being.
Our great cathedrals are beautiful and serve the twin function of giving Glory to God and a large gathering place to express our desire to praise God together! They are not his dwelling place, exactly. He is in reserve in the tabernacle for those who are sick and needing Viaticum (bread for the journey). He dwells there because we ask him to, where we have a sacred space for the purpose of Holy Mass and Holy Communion with him. Yet, the cathedral is the seat of the bishop. There is another seat in your heart.
Responsorial Psalm
For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
The favors of the LORD I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness. For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”; in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
His Kindness is forever.
Alleluia Verse
O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Gospel Portion
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David.
In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 