Go and tell David my servant, Thus says the LORD: Is it you who would build me a house to dwell in?
2 Samuel 7: 5

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

We come to the end of our Advent journey and are given two figures and their life stories to ponder about; these figures are David and Mary. Each of them in the beginning of their life journey is obscure and unknown.  David is a shepherd boy, the last of the sons of Jesse and Mary is a little peasant girl, yet when God’s initiative (God’s favor) touches their story, everything about their life and future is changed forever.  God’s grace is given freely.  It is uncontrolled by any human design.  It is unmerited, yet when given, it transforms everything it touches.  The phrase ‘nothing is impossible for God’ comes to full life in the stories of these two. 
 
King David, now established and done with his battle, probably wonders about what his life has been and what God has helped him accomplish. He then asks why not something in return for God do. He believes in making a difference by what we do. He wants to build a house for the Lord, but, who is the ‘true builder’ of our house (that is ‘our lives’)?  The Prophet Nathan brings him God’s answer in return: “is it you who would build me a house to dwell in?  
Then God goes on to say:

“ I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to become ruler over my people Israel.
 I was with you wherever you went, and I cut down all your enemies before you.  And I will make your name like that of the greatest on earth." (2 Samuel 7: 18)  

 
The latter part of the reading spells God’s almost scandalous commitment to David and building a house (dynasty) for him. There will be fulfillment of promises.  A house firm and enduring will be built.  On the little, unknown David, God’s favor has been given. David in thanksgiving will exclaim: “Who am I, Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you should have brought me so far? (2 Samuel 7: 18) 
 
Mary too is totally unknown until the appearance of Gabriel (a sign of divine intervention).  God chooses a peasant girl to be part of his plan of salvation.  She is going to be the person through whom God’s promises to David will be actualized. 

“You will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
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,” (Luke 1: 31-32)

Mary hesitates and is filled with fear. She asks, “How can this be?” but what will stop God’s grace? Nothing is impossible for God. If she needs evidence, she can go visit her cousin Elizabeth, the one who was called barren, but will now bear a son.
 
We are all in the large scale of things…little, unknown and obscure, yet God still trusts in us and wants to use us to further his kingdom even now.  We are to be instruments, to ‘build his house’.  We are the new David and the new Mary.  God relies on us, on our talents and gifts to bring about a kingdom of peace and justice.  Are we ready to be unhesitant collaborators? 
Is God at work in you?  Might God’s confidence in you be ill-placed?  Say not, I am shy and timid?  Use your gifts and talents to make a difference.  We need to believe that we can do something to transform the world with the Gospel.

-Fr. Anthony Mpagi