Psalm Reflection: The Fourth Sunday of Advent - Cycle A

“Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.” - Psalms 24

When my sister and I were kids, we responded very differently when we were in trouble.

When I was accused of doing something wrong, I would lie. I would invent a very believable story with just enough detail to make it seem like it was true in order to throw my parents off of my scent.

On the other hand, when my sister was in the same position, she would not even try to defend herself. Instead, she would burst into tears and run directly upstairs into her own room and close the door. When this started to happen, my parents initially tried to figure out what was going on and help, but it would only ever escalate the emotion. My parents learned that my sister just needed her space, and then things would resolve when she calmed down. That is what most good parents do: they respect their child’s space. 

As I was reflecting on the responsorial Psalm for this Sunday, “Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory,” my first thought was, “why do we have to let the Lord enter? Everything is His!” The verses of the Psalm response echo this idea that God has dominion over all creation. So, why can He not enter?

In all truth, He can. However, He chooses not to out of respect for us and our free will. In the same way that a loving parent respects the right of their child’s privacy even though they own the entire house, God allows us to shut ourselves away from Him and will not force Himself into our lives even though our lives come from Him in the first place.

This Advent season, we are given an opportunity to reflect on how we have shut ourselves away from God by our own choices, our pain, or even our ignorance. 

What is standing in the way from the Lord entering your life?

What gates or strongholds have you built to keep Him out?

What common barriers prevent you from feeling the Lord’s presence or from inviting Him into every part of your life?

This Advent we are invited to lift the gates, open the doors, and break down the walls so the Lord can come and take His rightful place on the throne or our hearts and in the center of our lives. 

God is a gentleman, He will not go where He is not invited. So invite the Lord, specifically and intentionally, into your life in a new way today. 

Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.

Where am I closing the door on God right now? What am I afraid He’ll change if I let Him in?

Which room of my life is still “off limits” to the Lord: my schedule, habits, relationships, money, my hidden sins?

When I feel accused or ashamed, do I hide or justify like a child, or do I run to the Father? Why?

What “gates” have I built: resentment, control, busyness, distraction, comfort, unbelief?

What concrete act of repentance would allow me to “lift the gates” this week?

Where have I seen God wait patiently for me? What does that tell me about His heart?

If Jesus is King of glory, what must move off the throne of my heart right now?

I am praying for you. Please pray for me and my family, and I will see you in the Eucharist.

Matt

This reflection is based on the Responsorial Psalm for this Sunday, December 21st, 2025, the Fourth Sunday of Advent - Cycle A: Psalms 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6.