During the past three Sundays, we have heard John the Baptist proclaiming the coming Messiah and today the angel Gabriel announces the conception of the baby God, Jesus the fulfillment of God’s promise to David. In today’s readings, there are two expressions that have captured my attention, “favor” and “overshadow”.

Luke the Evangelist brings together for us David and Mary when he writes in Acts 13: 22-23, I quote, “Then he (God) removed him (King Saul) and raised up David as their king; of him he testified, ‘I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish’. From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.”

I found this description of the relation between God and David very fascinating if not tickling and humbling. It is so charming that God, the source of everything, can enter into a relationship of trust and self-giving with a human being like in the cases of David and Mary. It is very humbling for a human being to be so favored by one’s own creator and savior. “Who am I, Lord God, and my house, that you should have brought me so far”, said David. As humans, we are invited and welcomed by God in his greatness and awesomeness. In living such a life of favor, we can’t but be overshadowed by the mighty hand of our God. We acknowledge God’s might that makes us achieve wonderful deeds. From his anointing as king in the presence of his father Jesse and brothers to his establishment in Jerusalem, Zion, the City of David, God did it all for his love of David. And David recognized at all moments the presence and action of God in his life. From his battle against Goliath to quelling the young Absalom’s rebellion, it was the Lord of Hosts fighting for Israel and David, his servant. God favored David during his lifetime and for generations to come, his descendant. David believed God and firmly trusted that God would fulfill his promise, “your throne shall stand firm forever”.

And the angel said to Mary, “Do not be afraid, for you have favor with God” Luke 1: 30. Mary was dumbfounded by the greeting and message of the angel. While trying to understand what she was hearing, she is assured that God would do it all with her. It will not be through the natural ability to conceive but by the power of God. “The power of the Most High will overshadow you.” Humbled the favor of God, Mary would only reply in obedience, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word”. The life of Mary as well as that of David was overshadowed by the power of God. Mary, a lowly girl from an unknown town, became a girl after God’s own heart. By bringing Jesus into our world, Mary participated in the fulfillment of an ancient promise made to David. Mary’s life from the moment of the annunciation enveloped in the life of Jesus. Her name would no longer be mentioned without that of her son, Jesus. The examples of David and Mary are a great road map for how we are to live our life as Christians. We can learn more from their characters and dispositions before God. God’s favor has been poured out on all the believers making us children of God. We can learn from David and Mary how to respond to God’s favor and let God be God in our lives. The outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost meant to overshadow us in making us, new creatures.