December 22
Fourth Sunday of Advent
“Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.”
Readings
Reflection
Does the season of Advent fill us with promise? Perhaps this is a seemingly odd question to ask during a time filled with business and angst; however, if we look past the often-frantic pace of our lives toward the real meaning of Christmas, faith can fill us with the promise of what shall be. After all, Advent places us on the threshold of the fulfillment of prophesy!
Today the Gospel of Luke tells the story of Mary’s encounter with Elizabeth, who is her cousin and mother of John the Baptist. Think about Mary’s journey. Is it foretelling the journey that Mary and Joseph will make just prior to the birth of Jesus? Consider Elizabeth, who is well past childbearing years. Does Mary’s visit give her promise of what could be? The answer is yes! Elizabeth greets Mary and becomes filled with the Holy Spirit as she proclaims faith in the child, which Mary is carrying, in fact, Elizabeth’s yet unborn child leaps for joy in the womb at the presence of his savior! All of these people will make a life journey that will change the course of world history.
Both Elizabeth and the unborn John the Baptist realize that they are in the presence of the Savior of the world. Imagine the possibilities for us if we each were able to have that type of realization when we pray, or are at Holy Mass. Advent is not only a time of preparation but also a time of promise if we only have faith and the realization that God is among us!
Consider the examples of faith that surround the Advent Season. Joseph listened to the Angel of The Lord when told to take Mary for his wife, or the faith of Mary herself as the angel tell her that she will be the God-bearer. The faith in Elizabeth and John the Baptist demonstrated in believing that Mary’s unborn child is the long anticipated Messiah changed their lives.
Faith is life changing! May our faith in Jesus Christ, the Messiah for all people, ever increase during the remainder of this Advent Season!
Peace,
Would you like to receive these reflections in your inbox? Subscribe to The Sunday Read newsletter.