The Road to HOME

As clock ticks faster to Christmas day people are doing a lot of different and exuberant preparations. Some people may frown on the idea of the hustles and bustles the Yuletide season brings, which after all being celebrated every year, so what’s the point? But still for many, this time of the year is one of the most anticipated celebrations. It brings everybody ‘together’ to a dwelling place where we feel safe and loved. This is the reason why we claim that Christmas makes all roads lead to home. But what is the true idea of home?  How familiar are we to our true ‘dwelling place’?

In the First Reading (2Sm 7.8b-12, 14a, 16), we heard of David ‘dreaming’ of building a house for the Lord (the Ark). His conscience dictates the ‘righteous’ thing to do. But the Lord through Nathan spoke of a promise instead – a sure and everlasting establishment of David’s house (for the people of Israel, and all generations). It must be a sweet and melodious music in David’s ears; a perfect Christmas gift in the use of our language today. Here we have a God assuring us of a dwelling place which nobody can afford, not even a great king like David.

Unfortunately, we are not convinced. We still entertain the idea of “promises are made to be broken”. We may foolishly ask how, after all the collapse, landslide and devastating attack in our lives, can we still hold on to the promise on whether ‘David’s house’ was really confirmed, blessed and established forever? Or can we not?   

Let us ‘examine’ the Gospel Reading today. (Lk 1.67- 80) We have heard of a ‘speaking’ and joyful Zechariah, blessing God for what He had done. Is it not true that we only value the importance of health after we recovered from illness, or we appreciate life after a loss of someone dear to us? or the need of God after going through a difficult journey? Poor Zechariah shared the same sentiments with us by posing the ‘wrong’ question at the ‘right’ time.  And after not being able to say a word for nine months, it is but natural for him to be grateful for having regained his speech. Obviously those ‘silent nine’ months humbled him and made him say the Benedictus.

Benedictus is one of the three great hymns (Magnificat, Nunc Dimittis) in the Gospel of Luke. This hymn in particular expresses three elements:

1.    The emphasis on the mercy of God. (as symbolized by having regained his speech)

2.    On the fulfillment of God’s promise. (as symbolized by the birth of his son, John)

3.    “God has been gracious”. (as symbolized by the realization of the ‘Messianic’ hopes of the  nation)

Just as God used the many exiles of his people as a moment of reawakening, so is the “sounding off and on” of Zechariah symbolizes the same message to us. God would not be so hard hearted as to give us a taste of new life only to abandon us to our weaknesses. God has been gracious to the point He ‘uses’ our stubbornness to show that a change of heart will bring about the fulfillment of His promise.

God speaks of what He will do for us more than what we may be able to do for Him. David dreams of building the Lord a house, a dwelling place he thought fitting for God. However, God promised David that He will build a ‘royal’ house for him and his descendants, where his people and everyone will dwell forever.

That promise was never and will never be in vain as Zechariah proclaimed his praise and thanksgiving, recognizing the fulfillment of the covenant God made to Abraham and his children.  This point erases our foolish questioning of God’s ability to keep his promises, rather convince us that there is none like our God. It does give us a picture on two things we should be confident about all the time: be grateful for everything, and never cease to hope, because after all, it is “not because of who I am, but because of what God has done; not because of what I’ve done but because of who God is”.

Though it is proper to say thank you for all the blessings we receive, however, it is important that we find the reason(s) for our thanksgiving. As we joyfully await the Birth of The Messiah, may we find the road that will bring us to our real abode. Amen.