DAILY- HOMILY

December 21, 2018 – FRIDAY, 3rd Week of Advent

O Oriens

Violet.

Sg 2: 8- 14 / Lk 1: 39 - 45.

[Misa de Gallo, White, with Gloria]

FROM THE 1ST READING:             Sg 2: 8- 13

The voice of my lover! Behold he comes, springing across the mountains, jumping over the hills, like a gazelle or a young stag. Now he stands behind our wall, looking through the windows, peering through the lattice. My lover speaks to me.

Arise, my love, my beautiful one! Come, the winter is gone, the rains are over. Flowers have appeared on the earth; the season of singing has come; the cooing of doves is heard. The fig tree forms its early fruit, the vines in blossom are fragrant. Arise, my beautiful one, come with me, my love, come.

GOSPEL READING:           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 the 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 words would come true!"

REFLECTION

The infancy narratives in the Gospel of Luke show human reactions inspired by God's grace to God's amazing revelations. Zechariah is troubled and struck dumb by the angel's revelation that he would be blessed with a son. Mary, though surprised and puzzled at the angel Gabriel's revelation, generously gives her "fiat."

At Mary's coming, Elizabeth and the baby in her womb were overjoyed: "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!"

Mary replies with her "Magnificat," her song of praise and thanksgiving to God.

Elizabeth's faith, John leaping in Elizabeth's womb and Mary's Magnificat are at the center of today's Gospel reading. Two women of great faith came together to celebrate God's love for them and for humankind: John and the Messiah, both in the wombs of their mothers, celebrate with them. The lover and the beloved in the Song of Songs sing for joy as they come together for a new and beautiful life.

May we stand with them in their faith in God's word and promises and in their enthusiastic participation in God's wonderful plans for them and humankind: "Arise, my beautiful one, come with me, my love, come." (Song 2: 10)

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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