SOCL, Advent4C
- Admin
- Dec 20, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 28, 2024
Sunday December 22, 2024
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.
See
Even in its resolutely secular form, the Christmas celebration has positive sides to it. People do try very hard to get together with close family and friends. It might help to reect in advance on this seasonal intensity of encounter. What do I hope for? What do I bring? How can I/we be so that we are not simply in the same physical space but truly meet each other and are the better for it? There should be some leap of joy, so that at the end of the festivities, we are glad we made the effort.
Listen
Reflect
(Luke 1:39-44)
-The greeting of Elizabeth to Mary “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb” is a joyful welcome of the child to come. Bringing new life into the world through pregnancy and birth is one of the most awesome human experiences. How have you experienced this for yourself or in someone close to you?
-The image of the pregnant Mary going a distance to visit her cousin is a symbol of willingness to look beyond one’s own needs to the needs of others. When have you witnessed that kind of generosity in others, or have been able to act in this way yourself ?
-Mary is praised for her faith, because she believed the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled. In what ways have you experienced blessings from your faith and trust in God’s promises?
Pray
Loving Shepherd, You choose the small and humble to accomplish Your greatest works. Like Mary, help us trust Your promises; like Elizabeth, help us recognize Your presence. Turn our hearts toward You that we might see Your face in the everyday moments of our lives. As we prepare for Christ's coming, make us ready to do Your will and swift to share Your joy with others. May we, like Bethlehem, become dwelling places for Your love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
References
Comments