Dear Parishioners,
There’s an old saying that “if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” God sometimes has other plans for us, and they take precedence. This we see with David and Mary in today’s readings. David’s kingdom is at peace (2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16). He has subdued all his enemies on every side. So he thought he would do something nice for God. Certainly, it was a noble idea to try to please God, and we all should. However, if we really want to please Him, we should ask God what He wants. It’s like getting a present from someone who thinks they know what will please us. Only it doesn’t. In fact, it can be annoying as I have discovered; I am sure you have as well. What God wanted was to establish his kingdom through the House of David (the Church).
Mary, on the other hand, planned to live a quiet married life with her husband, Joseph (Luke 1:26-38). However, God had other plans for Mary as well. He wanted her, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to have a son to inherit the throne of David and rule forever. Fortunately, Mary said yes, “I am the maidservant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say.”
On a personal note, when I retired from the U.S. Navy at the Marine Corps Base in Hawaii, my plans were to return to Baltimore, serve in one parish until age 70, retire, move back to Hawaii, and help the church there. That didn’t happen as St. Jane’s is my third parish, and I turned 70 seven years ago. Even though my plan didn’t work as I thought, I couldn’t be happier. God’s plan allowed me to meet and serve so many wonderful people along the way. So if God changes our plans, it will work not only to God’s advantage but ours as well.
God bless & stay safe.
Fr. Carl
