See the commentary on the Gospel for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year A.

See the commentary on the Gospel for the Feast of the Holy Family (Sunday in the Octave of Christmas), Year C.

David’s concern to build a temple was countered in Nathan’s prophecy by the Lord’s assurance that the future of his dynasty would be secure. In actual fact, it wasn’t. The kingdom split in two after Solomon (930 B.C.E.), and the northern kingdom (Israel) was destroyed in 722 while the southern kingdom (Judah) lasted until the Babylonian exile in 597. This promise then was seen as the basis for a messianic hope that extended beyond the limitations of earthly kingship.

This psalm expands upon the promises made to David in 2 Sam 7. Response: "The son of David will live for ever."

The importance of faith is that it corresponds to God’s way of revealing himself. If God’s covenant were a contract, then the fulfillment of certain conditions would be the proper response. But the covenant is essentially a promise, a freely given gift on God’s initiative. The only proper response is faith — a receptivity that does not seek to control. Through Christ the promise made to Abraham — that he would be the father of many nations —would be fulfilled.

1. Faith may be less a matter of certainty in truths than of steadfast trust in situations of uncertainty. Discuss the pros and cons of this statement.

2. How do you think Joseph felt in his dilemma? How can he be a model for your own life?