Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

Our Scripture readings of the first Sunday of Advent called us to “be attentive and watchful,” as we take care of our daily chores, and responsibilities. The second Sunday of Advent called us to live “loving and blameless” lives and to let our love mature and become fruitful. And the third Sunday of Advent called us to rejoice. The Scripture readings of  the fourth Sunday of Advent call us to carry our joy into the world and be channels of joy for others. Let our faith in God, the hope in his promises and the all-embracing love revealed in the birth of Jesus, our Savior and Lord, make us joyful. Let the world find us joyful and hope-filled disciples of Jesus.

 

The Gospel reading of today’s mass tells us the story of Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth. Mary had just come to know from Angel Gabriel that she was going to have a baby through the power of the Holy Spirit and that this baby would be son of the most high. The Angel told her to rejoice because she was so favored by God. The Angel also told her that her cousin Elizabeth was having a baby in her old age. 

 

Mary did not waste any time fretting over the many implications of this news. Neither did she waste time gloating over this amazing favor that God has shown her. The joy of this incredible news moved her to leave her house and run to the hill country to Zechariah’s house and greet her cousin Elizabeth. Mary’s visit brought much joy, comfort and courage to Elizabeth. They truly became a source of blessing and Grace for each other as they shared how God was working through them and through the new lives that they were nurturing within them (Luke 1:39-45). They stirred up joy in each other! “The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby stirred in my womb for joy…. even the unborn baby rejoiced,” said Elizabeth.

 

Mary and Elizabeth brough so much joy to each other that they both broke into song. Elizabeth sang praises of God’s favor to Mary, “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb…. the baby in my womb leapt for joy” (Luke 1:41-45) and Mary sang her song of joy, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my savior…...” (Luke 1:46-56). The house of Zechariah was filled with joy.

 

Mary and Elizabeth are inspiring models of joy. They call us and move us to be joyful and be agents and channels of joy for others. This is one of the major challenges of Christian living. There are many to bring pain, suffering, sadness, violence, and war into the world. It takes committed disciples, real followers of Jesus, to bring joy into a messy world. The message of Jesus is a message of Joy.  Jesus desired and prayed that complete joy will belong to his disciples.  “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11).  Jesus prayed to the father: “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may share my joy completely” (John 17:13).

 

To read more of this Sunday’s reflection, please click on the link below…