We celebrate the fourth Sunday of Advent today. As we prepare for Christmas, the Gospel passage invites our attention to Mary. Today we meditate on the beautiful encounter between Mary and Elizabeth. It was a moment filled with joy, recognition, and the Holy Spirit’s presence. It was also the moment Jesus and John the Baptist met for the first time while they were in the womb of their mothers.
The Gospel begins with Mary setting out in haste to visit Elizabeth. She made a journey with so much faith and was willing to embrace God’s plan even with all the challenges. During this time, she also received the news from the angel that God had chosen her to be the mother of Messiah. It was the best news any Jewish woman had ever heard. She was neither doubtful nor filled with any kind of pride in this unexpected blessing. With trust in the providence of God, she travels nearly a hundred kilometers to help Elizabeth. Thus, she becomes a model for all the faithful people to respond to God with trust in their life journeys.
The encounter between Mary and Elizabeth stands before us as an example of friendship and love. Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and recognizes the divine presence within Mary. The greeting words of Elizabeth become part of our Hail Mary prayer: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” Elizabeth recognizes the great blessing Mary has received and testifies to the world the special presence of Christ in our Blessed Mother. Elizabeth is happy to acknowledge Mary’s unique role in salvation history. She is also grateful that God chose her to play a role in this great story. Elizabeth is also a role model for every Christian to recognize the presence of God in others. Their acknowledgment of each other’s blessing is a challenge for many who are consumed by selfishness and pride. We must be willing to accept and acknowledge the blessings in other people with humility and joy.
In the Gospel description, we also realize that John the Baptist leaps for joy in the presence of Jesus. It is an example of the working of the Holy Spirit in each one of us, which might be invisible to the world around us. John, even in the womb, fulfills his prophetic mission to point to Christ. All those who are baptized and confirmed carry a special presence of God. It is our responsibility to respond to this blessing by living a grace-filled life. Preparing for Christmas is more than some external decorations. Advent invites us to cultivate an inner awareness of Christ’s arrival by decorating our hearts and minds for him.
Even though Mary did not understand everything proclaimed by the angel, she surrendered herself to God’s will. It was in contrast to the reaction of Zachariah, who doubted the words of the angel. That is why Elizabeth says: “Blessed is she who believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled.” As we are close to the celebration of Christmas like Mary, we should trust in God in everything happening in our life. Whether we face personal struggles, unanswered prayers, or fears about the future, we are called to echo Mary’s “yes” and believe that God’s promises will be fulfilled. Let us try to light the final Advent candle by emulating Mary’s trust, Elizabeth’s humility, and John’s joy. May we prepare not only to celebrate the birth of Christ in a manger, but also to welcome him into the struggles and joys of our daily lives.
Rev. Dr. Mathew Charthakuzhiyil