The gift of His birth in us…
Some people groan when they hear the Mass obligations on “back/back” Holy Days for Sunday and Christmas. It is strange to need to say, but yes it is obligatory to go to Mass for Christmas which is a Holy Day of Obligation attending 12/24 Vigil or 12/25 Christmas Day Mass. AND for the Saturday 12/26 Vigil of The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph or Sunday on 12/27.
However, it is a joy that we can come together and celebrate with one another the meaning of that we are made one by the gift of our Blessed Mother-God the Father-God the Holy Spirit and God the Son and Savior of us all. We belong to a divine Family! Do you think most Catholics realize that we are bound by that miraculous cosmic event?
In this final Sunday of Advent, for the end of another year in our divine family, we hear the readings that prepare us for the Sacred Light Born into the world that has made us one in Him. The wonderful images of the season can warm our hearts as this Fourth Sunday of Advent we hear the beautiful narrative by Luke of the Annunciation. The angel appears to Mary, Mary goes to Elizabeth, and she knows that Mary is pregnant with God’s Spirit made flesh! Their personal encounter with God made human is in the sacred womb—such powerful intimacy. The last prophet of Israel John the Baptist, and his cousin Jesus, the Messiah would both be born like every other child and to these two women who trusted in God’s promise to them. Mary and Elizabeth shared in the miracle of God’s proclamation of human worth. God chooses to become one of us, born the same way that we are. The ordinary of life is declared miraculous. God’s plan for all humanity is enclosed in the fragility and in the strength of these two mothers-to-be. Is it any wonder that we hold the sanctity of life as the supreme gift from God since it is how God chose to enter into time-through the womb! That paramount gift is renewed for us in the Real Presence: God made human continues to come to us in His Flesh and Blood the Eucharist!
We pay Mary homage for her role in the Incarnation, as we should. But she is not chosen because she comes from royal stock in a palace, or belongs to a distinguished family. As you read the infancy texts, you notice that Mary is a simple young woman. We do not even hear of her family lineage. God acts in the everyday. The Advent story proclaims that which starts as a small consent to serve God’s purposes is made miraculously cosmic. For miracles surround us in the daily and ordinary happenings, and in seemingly ordinary people all around us—including ourselves.
God’s Advent impetus and presence is in the touch of hand of someone grieving-a flush of grace. Advent is renewed in the kiss on the cheek to an elderly person who is rarely touched. Advent hope can come to a youngster when his/her parent takes the time to sit and listen. Advent reach can be in placing your arm around the shoulder of a teen in trouble. Advent healing is in turning off the knee jerk reaction to those buttons within us that are easily pushed by a family member, and instead listen quietly and respond rather than react.
There are endless divine jesters that we participate in because we belong to a Holy Family. Some actions include our youth who helped our St. Vincent de Paul volunteers sort the hundreds of gifts you provided that were given to more than 150 families this Christmas. There are literally millions of acts of compassion throughout our world that bring hope and overcome despair. So many of you witness the Advent of Jesus in your lives—these are the gifts that last, that can make a difference.
Such offerings are pleasing to the Lord and reflect His heart in ours. We bring hope when we visit those who are sick, or sign a petition declaring our rights, and/or write a letter in support of an issue of justice, to stand up publicly against abortion, assisted suicide, the death penalty, and for the sanctity of all life. Our response to the Advent of God born to us is when we reconcile members of our family, are all the little acts that have the potential for great things, gifts and offerings that God is working through us.
What is true for Mary can be true for us,
“Blessed are they who trusted that the Lord’s words would be fulfilled” Fulfilled through the Advent of Jesus in our hearts and hands reaching out to others.
Show His Word dwelling in us-magnify His presence, Fr. Gordon
In the box: “God acts in the everyday.”