Fourth Sunday of Advent
1. Servant of the Lord 2. Reliable Words from God and Mary
Liturgical Cycle: B | Lectionary Cycle: I
Introduction
Greeting
Glory to God who is able to give you
the strength to live according to the Good News
about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
This Good News is now proclaimed to all.
May you accept this Good News
and may the Lord Jesus be always with you. R/ And also with you.
Introduction by the Celebrant
• Servant of the Lord
To what extent are we available to God and do we see what he wants to do in us and through us? Today we are shown the marvelous example of Mary. Even if she did not see clearly all it implied, she accepted her mission to become the mother of the Savior. Jesus wants to be born in our world through us too, with our cooperation. We too have to say our Yes to God and to his plans with us and with the world. Let us say our Yes with Jesus and Mary.
• Reliable Words from God and Mary
How reliable are our words? How often do we keep our promises? Many times in the past God had promised to bring joy and happiness and freedom to his people. He kept his word and promise in a way surpassing by far what people expected: he sent his own Son as one of us: God’s Son, yes, but also the son of a human mother. A few days from now, on Christmas, we shall celebrate how God gave us Jesus. Today we hear an angel announcing to Mary that God would keep his word through her, and Mary gave her word that she would cooperate with God’s plan. Like her and with Jesus may we also say our Yes to God here in this Eucharist.
Penitential Act
Our indifference and our refusals
have been obstacles to God’s plans.
Let us ask the Lord to forgive us.
(pause)
Lord Jesus, with you and with Mary
we want to be open to the Word of God:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, with you and with Mary
we are willing to face the risks
of committing ourselves to God and to people:
Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, from you and from Mary
we want to learn to serve:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
In your mercy, Lord,
speak to us your word of forgiveness
and make us respond to your words of life.
Lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.
Opening Prayer
Let us pray to our Father
that we may be receptive to the coming of his Son
(pause)
God, who are the Most High Lord of all,
you have a surprising preference
for people who are small and humble
and who expect everything from you.
You chose Mary, the unassuming virgin from Nazareth,
to become the mother of your Son Jesus.
Through your Holy Spirit
make us aware of the poverty of our hearts,
that we may be open to you and welcome you,
be ready, like Mary, to serve you and your plans,
and expect everything from you.
Come to us and give yourself to us
through Jesus Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
First Reading
2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
A House That Will Stand Forever: David proposes to build for God the house of a temple. But God chooses the house of the dynasty of David, from which a Savior would be born for his people.
PROMISE AND SIN
David’s Dynasty Promise and Prayer
When the king had settled in his palace, and the Lord had rid him of all his surrounding enemies,
he told Nathan the prophet: “Look, I live in a house of cedar, but the Ark of God is housed in a tent.”
Nathan replied: “Do as it seems fit to you, for the Lord is with you.”
But that very night, the Lord’s word came to Nathan:
“Go and tell my servant David, this is what the Lord says: Are you able to build a house for me to live in?
Now you will tell my servant David, this is what the Lord of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the sheep, to make you commander of my people Israel.
I have been with you wherever you went, cutting down all your enemies before you. Now, I will make your name great, as the name of the great ones on earth.
I will provide a place for my people, Israel, and plant them so that they may live there in peace. They shall no longer be harassed, nor shall wicked men oppress them as before.
From the time when I appointed judges over my people Israel, it is only to you that I have given rest from all your enemies. The Lord also tells you that he will build you a house.
When the time comes for you to rest with your ancestors, I will raise your son after you, the one born of you, and secure his reign.
I will be a father to him, and he shall be my son. If he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod, as men do.
Your house and your reign shall last forever before me, and your throne shall remain firm.”
Responsorial Psalm
R. (2a) For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
The promises 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.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
"I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant:
Forever will I confirm your posterity
and establish your throne for all generations."
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
"He shall say of me, 'You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.'
Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,
and my covenant with him stands firm."
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
Second Reading
God Shows Himself in Jesus Christ: With Paul, let us praise God, who remained hidden for a long time, but now, in his wisdom, has shown himself in Jesus Christ. This is the Good News to be preached to all.
Glory be to God! He can give you strength in accordance with the Good News I proclaim, announcing Christ Jesus. The mysterious plan that was hidden for ages is now revealed.
By the will of the eternal God, it is revealed through the prophetic books, and all nations shall come to believe the faith proclaimed to them.
Glory to God, who is the only wise, through Christ Jesus, forever! Amen.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Your Will for Me Be Done: God’s plans are fulfilled where people, in all humility like Mary, receive God on his own terms.
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth. He was sent
to a virgin who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
The angel came to her and said:
“Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you!”
Mary was confused by these words, wondering what this greeting could mean.
But the angel said:
“Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you.
You will conceive and give birth to a son; and you shall call him Jesus.
He will be great, and he will rightly be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David, his ancestor; he will rule over the people of Jacob forever;
and his reign will have no end.”
Then Mary asked the angel:
“How can this be since I am a virgin?”
And the angel said to her:
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the holy child to be born of you will be called Son of God.
Even your relative, Elizabeth, is expecting a son in her old age, though she was unable to have children, and she is now in her sixth month.
With God, nothing is impossible.”
Then Mary said:
“I am the handmaid of the Lord; may it be done to me as you have said.”
And the angel left her.
Prayers of the Faithful
Let us open our hearts to the Lord Jesus that he may live in us and stay with us. Let us say: R/ Lord, make your home in us.
– Lord, feel at home in your Church, that it may be open to you in the poor and that those who seek you may find in it your forgiveness, your life, truth and joy, we pray: R/ Lord, make your home in us.
– Lord, feel at home with priests and religious, that they may live up to the word once given to you and that they may render you humble service in the people you have entrusted to their care, we pray: R/ Lord, make your home in us.
– Lord, feel at home in our world, that peoples and cultures may understand one another, seek peace together and promote justice and love, we pray: R/ Lord, make your home in us.
– Lord, feel at home in our families, unite them in fidelity and tenderness, guide parents to raise their children toward your own mature adulthood, we pray: R/ Lord, make your home in us.
– Lord, feel at home in our communities, where we welcome everyone in need, where we serve one another with joy and make you visible by our untiring love, we pray: R/ Lord, make your home in us.
Lord, it is good to be with you, to be aware that you live among us. Like Mary, may we not keep you for ourselves but take you to others, that they may know and love you, now and for ever. R/ Amen.
Prayer over the Gifts
Faithful God,
we are aware of our limitations
and the insufficiency of these gifts
we bring before you.
May our very poverty dispose you
to fill our empty hearts
with the wisdom of your Holy Spirit
and with the presence of him
whom we expect with great longing,
your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord for ever. R/ Amen.
Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer
Soon we will pray in the Eucharistic prayer that by the power of the Holy Spirit bread and wine may become Jesus himself. By the same Holy Spirit, may Jesus be born also in our hearts and in our world.
Introduction to the Lord's Prayer
By the power of the Holy Spirit
Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary
and we have become God’s children.
Let us pray with him the prayer of Jesus
to our Father in heaven: R/ Our Father...
Deliver Us
Deliver us, Lord,
from our pride in our own achievements
which closes us to your gifts.
Keep us from building for you
splendid buildings in which to confine you,
that you may choose us, your people,
rather than a building of stone
as your home in which you want to live
through him whom we expect with joy and hope,
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. R/ For the kingdom...
Invitation to Communion
This is Jesus Christ,
the Son of the Most High
born by the power of the Holy Spirit
of the virgin-mother Mary.
Happy are we to receive him. R/ Lord, I am not worthy...
Prayer after Communion
God our Father,
you fill the hungry with good things
and send the self-satisfied away empty.
In this Eucharist you have filled us
with the Word and the Bread of Life
of your Son Jesus Christ.
Make us hunger now for his coming
in the hearts and the homes of all.
Fill us with his spirit of service
and self-forgetting love,
that through us he may become near to people.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. R/ Amen.
Blessing
Christmas is now very near.
With the Blessed Virgin Mary
we wait for the Lord’s coming.
With her we say:
We are the Lord’s servants;
we want to do his will
and to give his Son for all to share.
May Almighty God bless you:
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.
Go in peace and live in the joy
of knowing that the Lord is near. R/ Thanks be to God.
REFLECTIONS
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38
Fiat!
The visit of the angel Gabriel to Mary reminds us of God's pattern of choosing ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes, as seen in Sarah, Anne, and the mother of Samson. These women, like Mary, were invited into God's salvific plan, demonstrating that God’s power makes the impossible possible.
Pope Francis speaks of Mary as the perfect disciple who listens, questions and responds with trust. Mary’s initial reaction—confusion and realism—reflects a deep authenticity. She does not accept blindly but seeks to understand. Her question, “How can this be?” shows her faith as active and discerning, not passive. Similarly, in today’s world, Pope Francis calls us to embrace a discerning faith, one that engages deeply with God’s Word and responds to the signs of the times.
The angel’s assurance—“Do not be afraid”—is as relevant now as it was then. In a time of global uncertainty, from environmental crises to social fragmentation, this divine encouragement invites us to trust in God’s plan, even when it is beyond our comprehension. Mary’s response—“Let it be done to me according to your word”—challenges us to surrender ourselves to God’s will with humility and courage, a posture Pope Francis calls "missionary discipleship."
The mention of Elizabeth reminds us of the communal nature of faith. As Mary journeys to serve Elizabeth, we too are called to journey alongside others, bringing hope and solidarity, especially to those marginalized or in need. In our Church, this means building bridges of understanding and service amidst division and uncertainty.
Mary, the handmaid of the Lord, models a life of service. Her “yes” echoes in every act of love and mission we undertake, teaching us that faith is not a privilege but service. May we, like Mary, say yes to God's call today.
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38
O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel, controlling at your will the gate of heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.
Imagine how shocked and incredulous you will be if your daughter, or sister, or girlfriend comes to you and tells you that she is pregnant though she had not relations with any man but because an angel announced it to her! Joseph too, and probably, even Joachim and Anne, felt the same. But as we read this Gospel text today, it doesn’t shock us anymore; we have become too familiar with the text and been numbed to the anomalous situation it presents.
Stop and think for a while. Here is a young girl, already formally engaged, and only waiting for sometime to go from her parents’ home and live with her husband. But a messenger from God came and asked her if she would be pregnant with the Son of God. What questions appear in your mind? And she had the daring to say yes. Why? How could she do that?
Jesus, Key to Eternal Life, with your incarnation in the womb of Mary, you opened the gate of heaven, come and bring us into the freedom of the children of God and the light of life everlasting. Amen.