Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent
The movie It’s a Wonderful Life has more than a Christmas scene to recommend it as an all-time holiday favorite. More crucially, the film demonstrates the hope that the child Jesus brings into the world. The schemes of the villain Potter are vanquished. Meanwhile, poor people are enabled to live with dignity in their own homes. Most of all, God comes to the help of his faithful servant, George Bailey, in his hour of desperation.
What director Frank Capra puts on film, Mary proclaims in the gospel today. She sings of how in sending His son into the world, God is fulfilling His promises. Jesus will feed the hungry with bread. He will also refute those who regard themselves as better than others. Mary can make these claims after pondering in her heart all that the angel and Elizabeth, tell her. She is Jesus’ true disciple. She listens to the word of God, turns it over in her heart, and finally gives it fresh expression.
All of us should imitate Mary not only with words but also with deeds. We should not be shy about expressing our sense that God has indeed blessed us. We should as well act in ways that bespeak God’s mercy to the poor.
