Daily Reflection – Dec 20, 2015
Sunday 20 December 2015
First Reading: Micah 5:1-4
Psalm Response:
Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved
Psalm 79(80):2-3, 15-16, 18-19
Second Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10
Gospel Reading: Luke 1:39-44
Today’s Note: Fourth Sunday of Advent
Gospel Reading:
Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
“Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled.”
Reflection:
Was Mary running from something or to something?
Either way, when she arrived she was greeted with the warmth of family love; and through her cousin’s wisdom and spiritual insight, she received another blessing. The goodness of what is happening is confirmed. Mary’s experience is a powerful reminder that God comes to us wherever we are.
We might try, but we cannot run away from God, or from our life’s experiences. The inescapable God is constantly present, drawing us in and offering us fullness of life and purpose. May we listen intently for the voice of God as we await the coming of the baby who changed everything–so that we will be open to change, and challenge and fullness of life.
