Here is the Liturgical Bible Study Guide for the 4th Sunday Advent Cycle B.

1. Sunday Readings
Commentary and Reflections
4th Sunday of Advent B
December 21, 2014
In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy
As aid in focusing our sharing and homilies
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

2. 1st Reading: 2 Sam 7,1-5.8-11.16
 1 When King David was settled in his palace, and the LORD had given
him rest from his enemies on every side, 2 he said to Nathan the
prophet, "Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God
dwells in a tent!" 3 Nathan answered the king, "Go, do whatever you
have in mind, for the LORD is with you." 4 But that night the LORD
spoke to Nathan and said: 5 "Go, tell my servant David, 'Thus says the
LORD: Should you build me a house to dwell in?
 8 "Now then, speak thus to my servant David, 'The LORD of hosts has
this to say: It was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of
the flock to be commander of my people Israel. 9 I have been with you
wherever you went, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you.
And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth. 10 I will fix
a place for my people Israel; I will plant them so that they may dwell in
their place without further disturbance. Neither shall the wicked
continue to afflict them as they did of old, 11 since the time I first
appointed judges over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all
your enemies. The LORD also reveals to you that he will establish a
house for you.
 16 Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your
throne shall stand firm forever.'"
The focus is on the announcement of future greatness.

3. 1st Reading: 2 Sam 7,1-5.8-11.16
David wishing to build a Temple
 1 When King David was settled in his
palace, and the LORD had given him
rest from his enemies on every side, 2
he said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I
am living in a house of cedar, while the
ark of God dwells in a tent!" 3 Nathan
answered the king, "Go, do whatever
you have in mind, for the LORD is with
you."
God disapproves David’s plan
 4 But that night the LORD spoke to
Nathan and said: 5 "Go, tell my
servant David, 'Thus says the LORD:
Should you build me a house to dwell
in?
God reviews what he had done for
David
 8 "Now then, speak thus to my servant
David, 'The LORD of hosts has this to
say: It was I who took you from the
pasture and from the care of the flock
to be commander of my people Israel.
9 I have been with you wherever you
went, and I have destroyed all your
enemies before you.
Commentary
 Vv.1-2 inform us that David, as King,
is now in place. All his enemies are
defeated. He now enjoys rest from
wars.
 We are also informed of his desire
to build a house for God.
 David lives in a palace, while God
lives in a tent.
 Nathan is David’s prophet
(consultant).
 V.3 indicates Nathan’s approval of
David’s plan.
 But in vv.4-5, God disapproves.
 Vv.8-9 indicate what God has done
to David:
• God called him to shift his work from
pasturing animals to leading his
people Israel.
• God has assisted him wherever he
went and destroyed his enemies.

4. 1st Reading: 2 Sam 7,1-5.8-11.16
God announces the future
greatness of his kingdom
 And I will make you famous like the
great ones of the earth. 10 I will fix
a place for my people Israel; I will
plant them so that they may dwell
in their place without further
disturbance. Neither shall the
wicked continue to afflict them as
they did of old, 11 since the time I
first appointed judges over my
people Israel. I will give you rest
from all your enemies. The LORD
also reveals to you that he will
establish a house for you.
 16 Your house and your kingdom
shall endure forever before me;
your throne shall stand firm
forever.'"
 Vv.9b-11 contain God’s promises
to David.
• David will become famous.
• God will make the land of Israel
secure for the Israelites.
• They will be left undisturbed.
• No wicked people will afflict or
inflict sufferings upon them.
• Like David, the people will be
given rest from their enemies.
 In vv.11 and 16, God unveils his
plan to establish the dynasty of
David.
 His throne and kingdom will
endure forever.
 We, Christians, understand this as
being fulfilled in Jesus.

5. Reflections on the 1st reading
 As leaders of our communities, we may experience
successes. These successes may inspire us to do
more.
 Like David, we, who are in power or who possess some
authority, want to build big structures “for the Lord.”
 But what we plan may be God’s will. God may have
another plan, even better than ours.
 Our plans certainly feign small compared to God’s plan
for us.
 The God-fearing leader and believer must be able to
listen and discern “the signs of the times.”
 He must not act by impulse or by force. Most often
some projects and buildings become white elephants
and useless monuments because of the lack of
discernment and purpose.

6.  We should allow other people to do the smaller plans
for us. Solomon was the one who built the Temple.
 Allow God to have greater plans for you. He may be
speaking through a friend, who has a higher
qualification, or, through a structure, which challenges
you to do greater things (in contrast to your personal agenda
and parochial concerns).
 The temple of Solomon became a symbol and pride of
Israel, center of the Israelite’s activities, yet, what was
promised to David has become a symbol of Christ’s
reign.
 “Your house and your kingdom shall endure
forever before me; your throne shall stand
firm forever.”

7. Resp. Psalm Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29
 R. (2a) For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
 2 The promises of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
3 For you have said, "My kindness is established forever";
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
 4 "I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant:
5 Forever will I confirm your posterity
and establish your throne for all generations."
 27 "He shall say of me, 'You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.'
29 Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,
and my covenant with him stands firm."

8. Resp. Psalm Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29
 R. (2a) For ever I will sing the
goodness of the Lord.
 2 The promises of the LORD I will sing
forever;
through all generations my mouth shall
proclaim your faithfulness.
3 For you have said, "My kindness is
established forever";
in heaven you have confirmed your
faithfulness.
 4 "I have made a covenant with my
chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant:
5 Forever will I confirm your posterity
and establish your throne for all
generations."
 27 "He shall say of me, 'You are my
father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.'
29 Forever I will maintain my kindness
toward him,
and my covenant with him stands firm."
Commentary
 The psalm is classified as
individual lament.
 The psalm expresses feelings
of joy over God’s favor to the
king of Israel (David).
 The psalmist rejoices at God’s
promises and faithfulness. V.2
 Vv.3-5 articulate God’s
promises: kindness and
faithfulness, covenant, throne
forever.
 In v.27, David will recognize
God as God, Rock (protector)
and savior.
 V. 29 repeats God’s promise
to David: his kindness and
covenant with him will stay.

9. Reflections on the Psalm
 Like what he did to David, God promises us
great things.
 God assures us of his faithfulness and love.
 God keeps his words.
 In return, we acknowledge God as our God,
who empowers us.
 Can we appropriate the psalm? (Make it our
own?)

10. 2nd Reading: Romans 16,25-27
 25 To him who can strengthen you, according
to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus
Christ, according to the revelation of the
mystery kept secret for long ages 26 but now
manifested through the prophetic writings and,
according to the command of the eternal God,
made known to all nations to bring about the
obedience of faith, 27 to the only wise God,
through Jesus Christ be glory forever and
ever. Amen.
The focus is on God’s greatness and glory.

11. 2nd Reading: Romans 16,25-27
 25 To him who can strengthen you,
• according to my gospel and the proclamation of
Jesus Christ (evangelization)
• according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret
for long ages 26 but now manifested through the
prophetic writings and (revelation)
• according to the command of the eternal God,
• made known to all nations (command, law)
• to bring about the obedience of faith (purpose of evangelization,
revelation and command of God)
 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be
glory (doxa) forever and ever. Amen.
Observe the indention.

12. 2nd Reading: Romans 16,25-27
 25 To him who can strengthen
you,
• according to my gospel and the
proclamation of Jesus Christ
(evangelization)
• according to the revelation of the
mystery kept secret for long ages
26 but now manifested through
the prophetic writings and
(revelation)
• according to the command of the
eternal God, made known to all
nations (command, law)
 to bring about the obedience of
faith (purpose of evangelization,
revelation and command of God)
 27 to the only wise God, through
Jesus Christ be glory (doxa)
forever and ever. Amen.
Commentary
 The second reading comes
from the last part of Paul’s
letter to the Romans.
 As usual, Paul follows the
pattern of his letters. He puts
doxology at the end.
• To him, to the only wise God be
glory for ever and ever.
 Take note of the theology of
Paul introduced by the relative
pronoun “who,” (in English transl.)
followed by 3 “according to” (in
conformity to, in line with).
 We are strengthened in order
to obey God and not for any
other purpose, like doing our
own thing or pursuing our own
desires.

13. Reflections on the 2nd reading
 God must be acknowledged as the greatest among us
all.
 He deserves all glory and honor.
 Christian life and activity must be directed towards the
glorification of God.
 We show obedience by glorifying God, not ourselves.
 We may say God’s reign is finally here when all honor
and praise is directed to him.
 Can you spot members of your group who are soliciting
praises for their actions?

14. Gospel reading: Luke 1,26-38
Setting
 26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from
God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin
betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David,
and the virgin's name was Mary. (Six months earlier the
angel was sent to Zechariah in the Temple of Jerusalem to
announce the birth of John the Baptist.)
Greetings and Mary’s reaction
 28 And coming to her, he said, "Hail, favored one! The
Lord is with you." (repeats what is referred to David in the first
reading) 29 But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Angel’s assurance
 30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for
you have found favor with God. (repeats v. 28 “Hail, favored
one.”)
A simple outline!

15. Announcement of the birth of Jesus
 31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and
bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 32
He will be great and will be called Son of the
Most High, and the Lord God will give him the
throne of David his father, 33 and he will rule
over the house of Jacob forever, and of his
kingdom there will be no end.“ (a fulfillment of
the promise of God to David through prophet
Nathan. Go back to the first reading.)

16. Question
 34 But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no
relations with a man?" (Her questioning does not express doubt,
unlike Zechariah. Mary asks the process how it will take place
considering she is a virgin and has no husband. She is still 14 years
old.)
Answer
 35 And the angel said to her in reply, "The holy Spirit will come
upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Other information
 Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of
God. 36 And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also
conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month
(Again six months is mentioned. Luke is a skillful writer. He follows
up his ideas as he develops his story. The focus this time is not on
Zechariah, but another woman, Elizabeth) for her who was called
barren; 37 for nothing will be impossible for God." (God is an
effective intervener.)

17. Mary’s Response: YES
 38 Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the
Lord. May it be done to me according to your word."
(Mary is available. She is willing to cooperate with
God’s plan. The translation is correct, “May it be done,”
not the one we use in the Angelus which is “Let it be
done..”) Then the angel departed from her. (Luke
knows how to close the story by reporting the departure
of the angel. The story began with the angels arrival in
Nazareth.)

18. Commentary
 The announcement comes as a surprise to an
unsuspecting young teen-ager, Mary, who was in
Nazareth.
 What troubles Mary is not the coming of the angel, but the
greetings. Mary was not aware that she was the “favored
one, the Lord is with her.”
 The annunciation contains the following:
• Mary will bear a child, not just an ordinary one, but the great one
and the Son of the Most High. He will rule Israel for ever.
• Her virginity is not a hindrance to God’s plan for her. God will act
on her through the power of the Holy Spirit.
 What is impossible to man is possible to God. (The healing
of Elizabeth’s barrenness and her (Mary’s) conception, even
without sexual contact with a man.)

19.  The annunciation is swift. Right away, Mary
believes in the message of the angel as
coming from God. She does not question the
angel’s greetings, that she is a favored one,
or, the Lord is with her.
 She must have believed Elizabeth’s
pregnancy as God’s intervention. Mary is not
surprised when the angel brings this out in
the annunciation.
 The angel comes and goes.

20. Reflections on the gospel
 The story of the annunciation is something to ponder
upon, how God intervenes not just in the life of Mary, but
also in our lives, in our history.
 After the annunciation, the world is not the same again.
When God announces, something good happens.
 Openness to God’s intervention is not automatic. Like
Mary, we must be able to read the signs of the times like
how God acts in other people (in our relatives or friends,
in our nation).
 We may not be expecting some extraordinary
announcements, but when they come, we should be
prepared.

21.  Announcements, which can change our lives,
usually come from our superiors who give us
new assignments or new challenges.
 Our YES is an important factor in which the
announcement becomes effective. Without our
generous response, we cannot benefit from the
overflowing love of God.
 Just like the experience of Mary later on, we do
not expect that everything will always go well.
Our positive response carries along with it
contradictions, pains and sufferings, because
not everything is clear. But one thing is certain:
Jesus comes to us only if we are open to him.

22. Tying the three readings & the Psalm
 Announcement on the future greatness of
David (1st reading)
 We must believe in God’s promises
(announcements). (Psalm)
 Doxology to God (2nd reading) who strengthens
(announced through evangelization, revelation and
laws)
 Annunciation of the birth of the Messiah
(gospel reading)
The preacher must focus on the meaning of annunciation
(announcements).

23. How to develop our sharing /
homilies
 In every school, church or business
establishment, there are announcements
posted on the bulletin boards, Facebook
accounts, Tweeter, SMS, etc.
 In the Old Testament, announcements were
made through a prophet, or, an angel.

24.  In the first reading, the announcement was
made through the prophet Nathan.
 God announces his plan for David through
Nathan.
 Nathan spoke on behalf of God.
 God had great plans for David: to build for him
a dynasty that will last for ever.

25.  In the gospel reading, God makes the
announcement to Mary through the angel
Gabriel.
 The angel announces that Mary would
become the mother of the Lord.
 We believe that through the birth of Jesus,
the announcement made to David is realized.
 Jesus is the Son of the Most High. He is king.
His kingdom is for ever.

26.  In the second reading, Paul, as he ends
his letter giving glory to God, announces
that God is the source of our strength.
 When we honor God, we are announcing
to the people his greatness and glory.
 We, too, are evangelizing like St. Paul.

27.  When we were baptized, God
announced to the world that we became
his children.
 He announced to us that we have a
great future.
 We share in the life of God here on earth
and in heaven.
 When, we, his children listen to his
words, we are listening to his
announcements.
 When we take to heart his message, we
are responding to his announcements.

28.  Nowadays, God also makes announcements
through the “signs of the times.”
 When there is a disaster, natural or man-made,
political, economic or otherwise, it is a wake up
call from God.
 We must be attentive to it and discern what God
is telling us.
 Announcements are calls for change, and for our
participation in the change.
 If we ignore announcements and signs, and fail
to interpret them correctly, we are courting
disaster.
 When we get sick, it is a call to change our lifestyle, our
eating habits, working habits. It is a call to stop our bad
habits (smoking, drinking, self-abuse and the like).

29.  We Christians, like the prophets and the
angels, must also learn how to
announce:
• That there is hope in the midst of troubles.
• That God has something better for us than
what we try to do for ourselves.
• That freedom (liberation, salvation) is
forthcoming, provided we keep God’s
commands.

30.  The eucharist is the sacrament to be received
only by those who take the announcements
(invitations) of God seriously.
 In the eucharist, Jesus announces to us that
God is with us. We cannot be alone in our joys
and sufferings.
 In the eucharist, we follow the Church’s
announcements to live a sacramental life.
 In the eucharist, God makes us great like
David and Jesus. We come to belong to God’s
everlasting reign.

31. Our Context of Sin and Grace
 Busy doing trivial things
 Basking in reflected glory
 Busy making known one’s
name
 Short attention
 No retention
 Always brings bad news
 Brings hope
 Attentive to
announcements
 Able to respond within a
short notice
 Disposed
 Available, chaste
 Responsive

32. Suggested Songs
 Ang Puso Ko’y Nagpupuri
 Mary Was Once an Ordinary Girl
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_jXXuivfJA