Friday of the Third
Week of Advent
(Song of Songs 2:8-14; Luke 1:39-45)
Faith may be defined as the jumping to a conclusion under
the influence of the Holy Spirit. The
faithful person has inconclusive evidence from the senses of God’s presence. She may attribute the good that is before her
as an illusion summoned by her desire to know the depth of reality. But the Holy Spirit moves her to an
acceptance of the divine love undergirding creation. We see faith at work two and a half times in
today’s gospel.
“Filled with the Holy Spirit” Elizabeth recognizes Mary
as “blessed among women” and “mother of my Lord.” The same Spirit has already prompted the baby
in Elizabeth’s womb to leap in recognition of the Messiah in Mary’s womb. The “half” exhibition of faith comes from Elizabeth’s
allusion to Mary’s response to the angel of God. The latter said in faith, “’…Be it done to me
according to your word.’”
Even with the Spirit faith challenges us at times. God’s will may seem opposed to what we deem as
desirable. Perhaps a loved one has become
terminally sick. Or perhaps we want
something we know is wrong for us. We must
hold on to faith. That is, we must continue
believing in divine love undergirding our very existence.
