Temple Construction (King David) (2011-12-18, Advent)

This is my homily for Sunday 18 December 2011. I am a Catholic chaplain in Teaneck at Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) campus and for the FDU Newman Catholic Association. We celebrate Catholic Mass - during Fall and Spring semester - every Sunday Evening (7:30 p.m.) at the Interfaith Chapel, 842 River Road, Teaneck, NJ.

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 | Psalm 89 | Romans 16:25-27 | + Luke 1:26-38

[_01_] This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday of Advent.

In our reading from the Book of Samuel, we read about a building process, a construction project which King David wants to start.
And, isn’t it a source of CONTENTMENT to renovate our homes, to build our rebuild or repair our homes? On a smaller scale, isn’t also a source of contentment to arrange (or re arrange the furniture or have someone else re arrange it for us). We also gain contentment un packing and moving in.

We also may encounter anxiety and distress, but usually this is for a shorter term for some greater goal so that we can seize the moment and take control in our new dwelling.


[_02_-DAVID] Quite contented is King David of whom we read in the Book of Samuel this Sunday.

And, King David is taking control with enthusiasm, gladness about the idea of a new Temple. He has unrolled these architectural blueprints and shared them with Nathan the prophet, the designs for the first Temple of Jerusalem. But, after consulting with Nathan and after Nathan consults with the Lord through his prayer and dream, David learns that this Temple is not to be built right now and not to be built by David himself.

[_03_] What might we learn from the phases or time periods of this construction project which may or may not include an actual building, paint samples, colors, tile, wood.

David has been considering an upgrade from tent of cloth for the ark of the covenant to a house of cedar.

What can we learn about the phases, the lessons of this construction project?

[_04_] Phase 1 / Lesson 1 – First, we learn that David is not really in charge. While king and ruler, David also is being asked to put his plans before God who will review them, approve them...and who may redirect David elsewhere.

In this case, David is being asked to put aside the architectural measurements and blueprints, in favor of the power of another person.

[_05_] Phase 2 / Lesson 2 - Who is this other person, more powerful?
On the one hand, this is the Lord God who possesses this power. David defers to the power of God.

However, David also defers to the power of his son, his son (Solomon) who has not even been born yet.

And, is this not the challenge for all of us, the difficult balancing act in raising and teaching children? That is, while they are young, we are called to direct them, teach them ...but ultimately surrender them to God and teach them to be independent. And, we are also surrendering to our children.

[THIS SECTION ESPECIALLY TO CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE HERE] Now as, young people we might think, my parents, my teachers, professors do not surrender to us … Rather, we surrender to those in charge of us.

Young people – do you think your parents are “surrendering” to you? Or , are you surrendering to them? Do they tell you what to do? Do they drive you EVERYWHERE you want to go ...or only some places. Do they make sure that you do your homework?

You may say... of course they make me do these things. And, I’m only 8 years old or 12 years old or 18 or a young adult. And, of course I have to obey.

But, I am suggesting here that your parents, in this rule making process are in fact surrendering to you. They are helping you to learn about authority first subjecting you to authority.

They are helping you to learn responsibility first by telling you what to do.

Soon, in a few years, you will be in charge. You may be in charge of your own parents. We pray that you will be ready to take control.

David the King must prepare his own son, Solomon, also to take control, not only of the budget but also of the family of the royal line, the royal family.

Phase Two concludes when we turn over control to another person more powerful.

[_06_] Phase Three / Lesson Three Construction.

In this episode, we read that King David does not spend taxpayer money by hiring carpenters and stone workers for the Temple. That is, he does not build anything material. Nevertheless, David remains a builder.

The challenge to King David is similar to the challenge made to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to Joseph the Carpenter.

That is, do not worry about the house as a physical structure. Do not put the building first, put the “house” the “royal house” of your family first.

As we reading Psalm 127, “If the Lord does not build the house in vain do the builders labor.”

Sometimes, we are tempted to put the house as a physical structure ahead of the house as a family.

But, truly, wouldn’t we rather live in a smaller structure with someone we truly love or accept a smaller house for the sake of the family.? Isn’t this a safer shelter? Or, we attracted only by what we can see from the curb? The so called curb appeal (or what we can see from the sidewalk) may apply not only to a 3 bedroom colonial or condominium but also to another human being to whom we are attracted for superficial beauty or superficial reasons.

As we approach Christmas, we what is the challenge to King David and to the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Annunciation Gospel today?

That is, to place the royal house, the house of our family before any physical object or structure.

In a family, in a marriage, we are also building a house, we gain shelter from the storms of life. We don’t need a structure, owner’s equity, or 20 percent down to have marriage and family.

At the end of our reading, David is told that his house will endure forever, not his house as a series of wooden beams, but rather the house of his family.

And our hope is the same, that our family and relationships will endure and that they will outlast the materials themselves, whether in a tent of cloth or house of cedar. [_fin_]