December 23 // 4th Sunday of Advent

Reading I: Micah 5:1-4a
Responsorial Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
Reading II:
Hebrews 10:5-10 Gospel: Luke 1:39-45

Our gospel for the Fourth Sunday of Advent is the lovely account of Mary and Elizabeth, known in English as the Visitation. Luke places this story after the angel’s announcement to Mary that she will give birth to the long-awaited Messiah:

“...the Lord God will give him the throne of David, his father…and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:32-33).

Luke presents John the Baptist as the final prophet in a long line of prophets, who, across many centuries, called the people to conversion, because God was coming to them.

“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord. Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God.” (Isaiah 40:3)

What is distinctive about John’s message is that the promised Messiah has come into the world. And God has given John the gift of knowing who Jesus is, even before they were born. Elizabeth, too, has been inspired by God, for she declares that Mary, her much younger relative, is the mother of the Lord.

Where can we see Jesus at work today? And, as a song I heard last Monday asks, are we making room in our hearts for God’s story?

Something to think about this Christmas.

Sheryl Zabel, Pastoral Minister, RCIA

[image: The Visitation by Karl von Blaas, c. 1850]