Tuesday in the Fourth Week of Advent
Intention: We pray for a faith-filled and transforming Christmastime for our world, one that we fill with peace, justice, and good will toward all.
Today’s Gospel | Luke 1:46-56
Mary said:
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior,
for he has looked upon his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm and has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.”
Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home.
A Short Reflection for the Fourth Tuesday of Advent
Today’s Gospel gives us one of the most beautiful and captivating narratives in the Christian Scriptures. The Canticle of Mary is a song of praise to the wonder of God and the joy of being chosen to serve him by being the mother of his Son. As we appreciate Mary’s wonderous words, we also can ponder the significance of their promise and vision for the world both then and now. In those days, none were more in need of a savior than the anawim – “God’s poor,” who had been beaten down, pushed to the margins, excluded, abused, reviled as unworthy of goodness. In their desolation, they longed for reassurance that they mattered, that somewhere there was a power who cared for them and had not forgotten them. It came in the person of Jesus, who spoke the good news that God’s healing and salvation were never far away. In these days, who speaks that good news, the message of hope and redemption for which there is no less a need, no less a hunger? Who will proclaim that, while the world is not a perfect place, there still exists a perfect love, one that can see us through darkness by living its deep compassion, merciful justice, and simple good faith? For while this was God’s promise, he has seen fit to share it with us, not only to remember, but also to keep. The time of Advent is our time to choose how we will proclaim the greatness of the Lord.
Prayer
Eternal Father, you sent John to prepare Jesus’ way in this world. As we prepare to celebrate the miracle of Christmas, fill us with the grace to bear witness to your Son. May our lives be marked by our zeal in proclaiming the good news that you are with us, and that our salvation has come to us in the birth of our Lord. Lead us to be instruments of your peace and righteousness, working to build your Kingdom and leading one another to know your presence and to welcome your Son into our hearts forever. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.