Sunday, December 19, 2021

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, December 19, 2021

(Micah 5:1-4; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45)

They will soon begin to do so. At the end of December the media always report the most impactful events of the year. They will give first place to the riot in Washington last January. They should mention that the number of deaths attributed to the pandemic in 2021 exceeded that in 2020. Possibly they will include in the report that the swimmer, Caeleb Dressel, won five gold medals in the Summer Olympics. If we were to name the most impactful events in all of history, what would come first?

At least for people of the Western Hemisphere, it has to be the life of Jesus Christ. Jesus has been the star by which many people have navigated their lives for two millennia. In today's Gospel Saint Luke gives us a part of the story of the birth of Jesus. As a good storyteller, Saint Luke reveals his story gradually. He explains step by step the events leading us to Bethlehem. He begins with the announcement to Zacharias of the birth of his son even though he and his wife Elizabeth are old. He then tells of the annunciation to Mary that she will give birth to Jesus even though she is a virgin. Then he deals with the episode we read today: Mary's visit to Elizabeth. This incident is highlighted by the leap that John makes before Jesus while the two are occupying their mothers' wombs. John is acknowledging Jesus as greater than he is. John will only preach repentance while Jesus will become the source of forgiveness.

In the first reading Micah prophesies the place and the result of the birth of Jesus Christ. He says that the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem. It continues saying that his leadership will lead his people to peace. By saying "peace" here, we do not mean only the absence of war. No, peace is better considered as a sense of inner and outer well-being. The second reading of the Letter to the Hebrews indicates what peace consists of and how Jesus achieves it. Peace is the removal of sins so that the person does not worry about his ultimate destiny. Jesus won for humans eternal life by sacrificing himself on the cross. Because Jesus never sinned, he did not have to offer a sacrifice for himself. The benefit of his sacrifice was transferred to his brothers and sisters in faith, which include us. We are freed from all guilt when we unite with him in Baptism or Penance.

Yes, it is difficult for our swollen pride to ask for forgiveness of our sins. However, there are golden examples throughout history. A few years ago, a woman turned from being an abortion provider to being a pro-life leader. Mrs. Abby Johnson had received two abortions when she took charge of an abortion clinic. Then one day while she was viewing an abortion with the ultrasound, she experienced revulsion. In short order she left the directorship of the clinic to join with people opposing this abomination. Mrs. Johnson says that she frequently prays Psalm 30. This psalm tells of being delivered from the jaws of death. She adds that the psalm illustrates how Christ has become an example for her.  She says, “When I felt that I had no hope left, he was waiting for me, waiting to give me joy. "

Maybe we haven't sinned like Abby Johnson. However, it is true that we are all sinners. All of us have put our will before God's will. Christ has saved us from swollen pride and from every other sin. We only have to acknowledge our guilt and ask his forgiveness. It may not be easy, but it is worth it. Once we do, we are going to experience true Christmas peace. 

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