Sometimes people want to do God a big favor, but they really neglect to ask what God wants. David wanted to build a house or temple for God, but God was not impressed. He made it clear to David that he had no need of a house and had never asked for one. Instead, God promises to make David a house! One of his descendants will always be on the throne of Israel. The king will always answer to God for misbehaviour, but God will never withdraw his faithful love. This is the origin of the promise of a future Messiah. We recognize that God is always faithful even if we are not. God's faithful love will always be with us - God can and will do far more for us than we can ever do for God.

Zechariah's canticle witnessed to God's fidelity and love. God had kept His promises to Israel, and now they would be saved from their enemies and would worship without fear. Even though it had taken a long time, God was faithful. The ancients were far more patient than we are - we want everything right now, but they were willing to keep hope and faith alive for centuries. God also had a surprise for them: along with salvation for Israel, God's compassionate mercy was now going to be offered to the Gentiles too! In Luke's Gospel, God has very little patience for barriers and labels that people use to separate themselves from one another. The coming of Jesus meant one world, one people, one God. Our own thoughts, words, and actions should always reflect this. God is found where there is unity, generosity, and reconciliation.