Advent IV, Wednesday – December 23
AM Psalm 72; PM Psalm 111, 113
1 Samuel 7:1-17; Titus 2:11-3:8a
Luke 1:39-48a(48b-56)
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’
And Mary said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
(Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’
And Mary remained with her for about three months and then returned to her home.)
Anticipating the birth of Jesus is what Advent is all about. The Gospel reading for today reveals Elizabeth’s excitement about Mary’s pregnancy – the first occasion of joyful anticipation that Christian believers revisit every December. It also highlights the significant role of women so often overlooked.
Although I have never been one to engage in the worship of Mary, I have always admired her willingness to accept what God asked of her. And that for me is the powerful message of Luke’s verses. What does it mean to be blessed, to undertake a daunting task? I think the answers lie in how one approaches such a job – it is not the job itself, but the recognition of who God is and what God does. It is the experience of God’s presence and support that gives one the strength to do whatever is asked or required of one, not because one is blessed but because one becomes blessed by how one behaves and responds. Jesus provides in the Beatitudes a list of those very qualities that make one blessed.
The words of the Magnificat illuminate Mary’s relationship to God. She rejoices in being chosen, declares her faith, acknowledges the great things done for her and defines the mercy and actions of God throughout generations. She is blessed, proclaims Elizabeth, as is the child she is carrying.
Elizabeth shows us how to look forward once again to the baby whose advent can change our world – and us. Mary exemplifies a profound and humble way to say Yes to God. It is much easier to be like Elizabeth!
- Marge K.
O God, saying yes to you is not always so easy. Thank you that Mary, a mere child, showed us what can happen if we dare! Thank you for her example! Thank you for our own lives which are rich in opportunities to say “yes” also! Help us form the word in our reluctant hearts. Yes! Amen.
