DAILY- HOMILY

December 20, 2015 - 4th SUNDAY OF ADVENT

[Misa de Gallo - White, with Gloria]  

Cycle C      

Violet  

Mi 5:1 - 4a / Heb 10:5 – 10 / Lk 1:9 - 45

First Reading: Mi 5:1 – 4a 

     But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, so small that you are hardly named among the clans of Judah, from you shall I raise the one who is to rule over Israel. For he comes forth from of old, from ancient times.  

     Yahweh, therefore, will abandon Israel until such time as she who is to give birth has given birth. Then the rest of his deported brothers will return to the people of Israel.

     He will stand and shepherd his flock with the strength of Yahweh, in the glorious Name of Yahweh, his God. They will live safely while he wins renown to the ends of the earth.  He shall be peace. 

Second Reading: Heb 10: 5 – 10

     This is why on entering the world, Christ says: You did not desire sacrifice and offering; you were not pleased with burnt offerings and sin offerings. Then I said: "Here I am. It was written of me in the scroll. I will do your will, O God."

     First he says: Sacrifice, offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire nor were you pleased with them—although they were required by the Law. Then he says: Here I am to do your will.

This is enough to nullify the first will and establish the new. Now, by this will of God, we are sanctified once and for all by the sacrifice of the body of Christ Jesus.

Gospel: Lk 1:39 - 45

     Mary then set out for a town in the Hills of Judah. She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with holy spirit, and giving a loud cry, said, "You are most blessed among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb! How is it that the mother of my Lord comes to me? The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy. Blessed are you who believed that the Lord's word would come true!"

Reflection:

     Today we commemorate the Second Joyful Mystery, when Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth. Why did Mary visit Elizabeth? Mary wanted to see with her own eyes the wonderful news of Elizabeth having a child in her old age. Mary wanted to join Elizabeth in her gratitude to God's goodness to her. And Mary wanted to be of help to her cousin in her pregnancy. 

     Mary herself had been especially chosen and blessed by God: she carried within her the Son of the Most High. She had humbly and graciously accepted God's invitation for her to bear the Son of God, by the power of the Holy Spirit.  She was the first and foremost disciple of the Lord Jesus, with a privileged role as Mother of God: from her conception she had been kept free of all sin.

     When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child within her "leapt for joy." "You are most blessed among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb! How is it that the mother of my Lord comes to me?  The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, he baby within me suddenly leapt for joy. Blessed are you who believed that the Lord's word would come true."

     The Visitation shows us the mysterious ways of God with people: two extraordinary women bearing children announced by angels, one though barren and in her old age, the other a virgin and by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. Both had special roles in God's plan of salvation for all: one carrying the Son of God, the other carrying his Precursor.

     Mary came to assist her cousin Elizabeth. In her Magnificat Mary humbly and joyfully acknowledges God's great works in her.

     As followers of Jesus, we are also asked to have roles in God's salvific plan and work. Are our minds and hearts open to hear God's invitation, as Mary did?  We look at Mary our Mother in her unconditional loving and trusting response to God's invitation, "I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said."  We pray we can do the same.

     Mary took time to visit Elizabeth, to share her joy and to be of assistance to her: may we also share ourselves with others in need.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     MARCUS NG

     MICHELLE GONZAGA

     MS. MARY ELIZABETH N. GUCE

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

     JUAN OLONDRIZ, JR. & TERESITA OLONDRIZ

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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   |  The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the

   |  priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish

   |  distributed free and for personal use only.  

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