God works unexpectedly from small places, using the least likely people.
by Deacon Michael Kennedy
Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Advent – 19 December 2021
During these final days of Advent the focus of our Liturgy is directly addressed to preparing us to celebrate the birth of Our Lord. In the official Evening Prayer of the Church for these we are given a beautiful set of Antiphons known as the Great O Antiphons. From the time of the Emperor Charlemagne the church has prayed these antiphons. They look back into the richness of the Old Testament Imagery about the Messiah and create words filled with longing and promise. Using Ancient Biblical images they present to us titles for the Lord, while their invocation COME, is our prayer, our hope.
In that first reading from the Mass today, the prophet Micah, voices a longing for the coming of the Messiah- He tells us that the Messiah will come, from a place called Bethlehem, a small insignificant place.
God works unexpectedly from small places, using the least likely people
And in the beginning of his gospel today, Luke give us an account of two women, Mary and Elizabeth. Both are about to become mothers unexpectedly. The angel Gabriel has appeared, first to Elizabeth’s elderly husband Zechariah, and five lunar months later to Mary, an unmarried young woman. Zechariah had been in the innermost sanctuary of the temple in Jerusalem; Mary was at home in Nazareth, a provincial place up north, a place from which in popular estimation no good came. Elizabeth had conceived her son John the Baptist in the usual way, after Zechariah had returned dumb-struck from the temple. Mary had conceived as a virgin, although already betrothed to Joseph.
Elizabeth had kept things quiet; she was well beyond the age at which ladies usually become mothers, although she and Zechariah had been longing for children. Now Mary is told by the angel of the pregnancy of her relative Elizabeth. She responds straight away by travelling to visit Elizabeth. At one level it is a natural response of a charitable young woman when learning that some older relatives might need some extra help for a while. It is the kind of thing that families do for one another as a normal part of family life, although modern life with lack of job security, immigration controls, and so on and in our present day, Covid 19 Restrictions, can make such simple acts of generosity much more difficult.
However there is much deeper level as well. Mary knows from the angel Gabriel that the son she bears in her womb, conceived without any man’s assistance, is Jesus the Messiah. When Mary, in her first few weeks of pregnancy enters Elizabeth’s house, Elizabeth’s son in her womb leaps for joy. John the Baptist, from his mother’s womb, prepares the way of Jesus “the Lord”.Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and mother and unborn son together recognise that their visitor Mary is pregnant with the Son of the Most High. Salvation is close at hand. Emmanuel, God with us, is present in this house in the womb of his virgin mother. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made to her by the Lord would be fulfilled.
Mary is blessed because she believes the promises made by God. Her life of simplicity and holiness, from her immaculate conception onwards, is but a start. It enables her to freely say “yes” to God when Gabriel appeared to her. It is her destiny to be the Mother of God, but it is a destiny she freely chooses when God’s messenger appears.
After the telling us the story of the Visitation Luke continues the story, telling of two births and two circumcisions; first of John the Baptist, and then of Jesus. John the Baptist is Elijah returned, the prophet preparing the way of the Lord. Jesus is Lord bringing salvation and peace to people of good will.
In a few days’ time, we will gather on Christmas Eve, in the darkness of night to listen to the message of the angels of light, singing of the birth of the Saviour.
So what about us? Many people have told us of love, of peace, of the forgiveness of sin, of God’s promises of peace and reconciliation. We have listened to the gospel message in church; we acknowledge our deeply-held desires for peace and love; integrity and truth challenge our intellects. So let seek to be reconciled with God. Let us prepare ourselves to listen once again to the angels’ message of peace. Once again let us renew and deepen our love Jesus our Saviour, born amongst us for our salvation.
Mary said yes to God. So did John the Baptist, Elizabeth and Zechariah. Zechariah after his brief moment at the centre of things in the Jerusalem temple resumed his quiet priestly life. Elizabeth, an older mother, had a squalling baby to look after. We have our commitments of family life and charitable care of our neighbours.
Christmas, as a day, will pass once again. But God is with us. Truth is triumphant. Evil, death, chaos and oppression have met their match. Jesus who is the Christ reigns from his mother’s arms
So as we enter into these final days of Advent, marked by the lighting of our 4th Advent Candle today as we hear familiar Gospel accounts, May we all be filled with Hope and Joy, and may they turn our minds in these final days of Advent to make ourselves ready to welcome Christ into our lives. And when we see the figure of of the Child Jesus been placed into the crib this Christmas, may we have the courage to say
O Emmaunel- God with Us.
What else can we wish for, can we long for, but that God is with us
Bidding Prayers
4th Advent
CELEBRANT:
Placing are trust in god, who became flesh in the womb of the blessed virgin Mary, we raise these prayers for those who hunger and thirst for God’s presence.
READER
For the holy Churches of God. May we be eager to share the good news of salvation with the whole world. Lord, hear us.
For all who are busy getting ready to celebrate Christmas and for all people of goodwill that this feast may be a time of peace and hope. Lord, hear us. . .
For those who visit relatives during this coming season, that they like Mary and Elizabeth, may be able to rejoice in each other’s company. Lord, hear us.
For those who are sick and housebound in our parish community, for our world as we continue to be affected by Covid 19, that there may be an end to this Pandemic and that our own Political leaders will listen to those who advise them and lead by example. Lord, hear us. . .
For those who are not looking forward to Christmas: that the birth of our Saviour would fill their hearts with hope and peace. Lord hear us...
For the prayers we hold in our hearts, that they will be answered by the Lord. (PAUSE) Lord, hear us. . .
That our prayers will be united in the Holy Spirit with those of Mary the Mother of God, Elizabeth and Zechariah and their son, John, and all the saint in light. Lord, hear us...
CELEBRANT:
Father, we long to celebrate the coming of your Son. As we wait and watch, fill our hearts with love and keep us joyful in your service. Hear our prayers, for we make them through Christ our Lord. Amen.