4th Advent - Fr. Leo
When the Archangel Gabriel visited Mary he confirmed God’s power to intervene in our lives when he told Mary that Elizabeth, her kinswoman, was going to have a baby. Another miracle since Elizabeth was long past her child bearing years. It was this news that prompted Mary to visit Elizabeth in whom she could confide and share the experience of motherhood to be.
When Mary enters, Elizabeth cried out in the Spirit with wonder and Joy that the mother of her Lord would come to her. The baby in her womb even leapt for joy! How giddy they must of been, an unmarried woman and a woman long past child bearing age both having children. The joy was felt on so many levels. One, they are becoming mothers, but most important, they were becoming mothers through the miraculous intervention of God. Could this really be true. How absurd and how incredibly wonderful at the same time.
For Mary and Elizabeth the impossible happed by the grace of God. Both were bringing new life into the world. The birth of Christ which we celebrate in two days celebrates the new life that God brought into the world through his servant Mary. An even greater miracle for us that this same God calls us to give birth to God in our lives, making us Holy Christ bearers to others.
With God the impossible is possible. We can become other Christ through the same Holy Spirit. So let us have that confidence. Let us be giddy with hope at the prospect of what life will be when we say our yes to God and let the Holy Spirit lead us into the fullness of grace.
Let us keep this prayer on our lips and in our hearts: “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of thy faithful and enkindle in us the fire of your love.” AMEN!