Sunday, December 22, 2024

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

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

There is little new in today's gospel. We have reflected upon it often as the second joyful mystery of the rosary.  However, a second look will reveal that it shows for the first time in the gospels a human person recognizing Jesus as God. It does not matter that Jesus has not yet been born. Nor does it matter that Elizabeth does not use the word “God.” By calling the creature in Mary's womb “my Lord,” Elizabeth identifies him as God Almighty.

The Jews had such great reverence for the name God gave Moses at the burning bush that they did not want to say it. Instead of calling God by the famous tetragrammaton, He is referred to as “Adonai” in the Bible. Adonai is a Hebrew word meaning “My Lords.” Why the plural?  for the same reason that people addressed a king with “the majestic plural.” Actually, the term “lord” is ambiguous. It can be used for any respected man. But both here and in other Gospel passages, there is no doubt that it refers to God.

Now, close to Christmas, it is worth reviewing other terms for Jesus in the Gospels. The name “Jesus” alone is full of meaning. Although it was not a rare name in biblical times, it clearly indicates Jesus' mission as the Son of God. “Jesus” means “God saves.” As God saved the Hebrew people from Egyptian slavery, Jesus has come to save the world from its sins.

“Christ” also has a meaning related to Jesus' mission. It comes from the Greek word that translates the Hebrew “messiah.” It means “the anointed one.” In the Old Testament, those who were consecrated for a mission designated by God were anointed: kings, priests, and especially prophets. Because he was anointed for all these roles, Jesus has the mission of, no less than, reconciling the world to God.

There is nothing extraordinary about being called “Son of God” in the Old Testament. This expression is used for angels, the chosen people, the children of Israel, and their kings. But this ambiguous sense is not what Peter intends when he recognizes Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Rather, Peter wants to designate Jesus as the only Son of God who has come into the world to free it from sin’s oppression. Jesus identifies himself in this way when he says to Nicodemus: “‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son…’”

There are other names for Jesus that reveal in part who he is. Matthew quotes the prophet Isaiah when he says that Jesus will be given the name “Emmanuel” which means “God with us.” In the gospels Jesus regularly refers to himself as “Son of Man.” This term is rooted in the apocalyptic scenario of the prophet Daniel where God gives power over all nations to the “Son of Man.” Jesus will say that he manifests the power received from his Father in service, including his death, for the people. Finally, Jesus is called in several places “the Word of God.” As words give expression to the depth of the person, Jesus reveals the love and will of his Father to the world.

We could add another title for Jesus, well suited for this time of year. He is the gift of God more beneficial than the sun. He lights our way among rocks and reefs in the voyage of life. He provides the warmth of love that enables us to attain eternal life. Let us accept and take advantage of this gift.

Friday, December 21, 2018

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.

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent

(Song of Songs 2:8-14; Luke 1:39-45)

“Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.”  If we don’t pray this prayer every day, we are likely missing out on many blessings.  The Spirit’s thrust is vividly seen in today’s gospel.

In the previous passage Mary received the Holy Spirit.  She was overshadowed by God’s life-giving love to accept His Son in her womb.  She also was moved to visit her relative Elizabeth who may need assistance with her improbable pregnancy.  When Mary arrives at Elizabeth’s door, the Spirit acts visibly again.  The elderly woman blesses her visitor while the fetus within her jumps for joy.  The blessing not only gives Mary due praise, it also bestows on her a new identity.  She is “the mother of (our) Lord.”

The Spirit is palpably active among us at Christmas.  It inspires us to remember the many blessings we have received through the years.  It moves us to reflect on the mystery of God’s love being retold once again.  It sends us out to those in need.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent

(Song of Songs 2:8-14; Luke 1:39-45)

Often the Virgin Mary is portrayed as carrying Jesus in her womb.  In the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, for example, the black belt around the Virgin’s waist signals her pregnancy.  Such images indicate not only that Mary is the mother of Jesus but also that she is his apostle bringing him to others.  Today’s gospel conveys this double meaning.

Acting on God’s word, Mary visits her kinswoman Elizabeth in the hill country.  Having arrived, the child within her womb causes the more developed child in Elizabeth to stir.  Elizabeth, guided by the Holy Spirit, names what is taking place.  She praises Mary first for being the mother of God and then for believing in the unlikely message of the angel.  Mary will explain what Jesus’ birth will mean to the world in tomorrow’s gospel passage.

We do well to emphasize that Mary’s significance is more than she is the mother of Jesus as important as that role is.  She is also his first and most perfect disciple.  She listens to and accepts the word of God.  She acts on it as she visits Elizabeth.  Finally, she interprets its meaning for others.  The best way we can venerate Mary is by imitating her example.

Monday, December 21, 2015

Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent 

(Song of Songs 2:8-14; Luke 1:39-45)

Pope Francis’ itinerary in Mexico has been announced.  He will visit the shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the country’s patron, in the capital.  But that is the only major commercial center that he will go to.  Rather than Guadalajara and Monterrey, Francis will travel to San Cristóbal de las Casas, Morelia, and Ciudad Juarez.  These cities have undergone grave troubles recently.  The pope’s intentions are obvious.  He intends to comfort victims of violence and poverty.  God seems to show the same concern in today’s gospel.

Two women take center stage.  Elizabeth suffered the disgrace of never having a child.  Mary has shown implicit obedience to God’s word by rushing to Elizabeth.  Both represent the poor who continue trusting despite the hardships they face.  Now God is acting on their behalf. 

We may never duplicate the humility of Elizabeth and the obedience of Mary.  But we can imitate their example.  We can curb our desire for recognition and our need to have things our way.  When we do, we will know the full joy of Christmas.  We will realize that God has truly come to share with us His peace. 

Friday, December 21, 2012

Friday of the Third Week of Advent

(Song of Songs 2:8-14; Luke 1:39-45)

In many ways human beings are like all the other kinds of animals. They are born, they live, and they die. But there are differences. Unlike other animals humans think, represent their thoughts in symbols, and use the symbols to communicate with one another. These capacities leave humans with questions: Where do they come from? What happens to their spirits at death? How does their universal understanding of good and evil come about? Faith gives a perspective to address these questions. It is like a telescope which enables a human to see the universe more clearly. Today’s gospel makes a ringing endorsement of faith.

When Mary visits Elizabeth, the latter greets her with a string of blessings. “Most blessed,” she says, “are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Then Elizabeth names the cause of Mary’s blessedness. It is not that she is a virgin who is about to give birth. Nor even that she will me “the mother of my Lord.” No, Mary is blessed for believing “what was spoken to you by the Lord…”

We too have the faith that Elizabeth praises. We too believe what the Lord tells us: that Jesus is His Son; that he died on the cross to redeem our sins and then rose from the dead; and that we await his coming in glory to judge the world. The beginning of the realization of these truths, and not reindeer and snowmen, is what Christmas is all about.

December 21, 2009

Monday of the Fourth Week in Advent

(Song of Songs 2:8-14; Luke 1:39-45)

In a novel a gardener critiques a sign that reads, “Vine-grown tomatoes.” The gardener says something like, “What’s so great about that? Where else are tomatoes going to grow? What we want are vine-ripened tomatoes.” The comment enlightens the gospel reading today in two ways.

First, something like the difference between vine-grown and vine-ripened tomatoes, the blessing Elizabeth bestows on Mary is not so much that she is the mother of Jesus but that she “believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” It is an awesome responsibility to be the mother of God. But to act consistently on the belief that God has made us His own with the words, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” at the pouring of the water is a more remarkable accomplishment.

Second, Caryll Houselander, a twentieth century English mystic, wrote that during Advent Christ is to grow within us as he grew in the Virgin’s womb. At this late date he should be almost full-term or, if you don’t mind, ripened. Each of us, if we have reflected on the meaning of his coming as related in the Scripture readings at mass, should realize that he is our best consolation and ultimate hope. Promised as a comfort to Israel in their suffering, Jesus is the true wisdom that guides us through difficulties and temptations to spiritual peace. He also gives life to our desire that when our individual trajectories have run their courses, we do not drop into oblivion but into the merciful arms of our loving Father.

Homilette for December 21, 2007

Friday, December 21, 2007

(Luke 1:39-45)

In October of 1964, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a patient at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta when the news reported that he would receive that year’s Nobel Peace Prize. The archbishop of Atlanta, Paul Hallinan, took advantage of his stay in a Catholic hospital to personally visit the newly named laureate. He congratulated King for the honor and asked if he might give him his blessing. The great peacemaker readily accepted the offer. Upon finishing the sign of the cross, the archbishop sank to his knees begging Dr. King’s blessing in return.

This meeting between the two religious leaders resembles the movement in the gospel today. The elderly woman gives a blessing to her young counterpart. But it was not the press that informed Elizabeth of Mary’s distinction as mother of God, however. No, it was the divine interplay between the Messiah in Mary’s womb and the prophet in leaping in her own that tipped Elizabeth off. Mary then issues her own blessing, not on Elizabeth but on the Lord who has honored her so graciously.

We might suspend our seasonal activities for a few minutes to meditate on the divine player in this gospel. Who is he whose birth we are about to celebrate? Jesus, son of Mary, claimed by us Christians to be son of God as well. Sure, but what does all this mean? The appropriate clues to answer these questions may be found in the antiphons that we use before the gospel the eight days before Christmas. These are the same as the verses to the Advent hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us. He is the Wisdom that makes sense of our lives. He is the Radiant Dawn and Sun of Justice that illumine the way to salvation. Reflecting on these antiphons, we know why John leaps for joy when Jesus approaches.