December 20, 2015

Fourth Sunday of Advent - A Reflection by Fr. Leo

 

In the Old Testament the Jews understand themselves as the chosen people, God’s chosen people.  For them God is God and they the chosen.  God is in the heavens and they live here in this world with God’s intervention and help.  The God of the Old Testament must also be obeyed and appeased, hence the use of sacrifice in their worship to please God.

 

In our Gospel reading, God is found in an all-together different place.  God is found within the believer herself.  An infant leaps in the womb and Elizabeth, filled with the Spirit cries out, announcing the arrival of the Lord in Mary.  Mary is praised because of her openness to the work of the Lord within her. 

 

Since the birth of Christ, as St. Paul makes clear, there is no more sacrifice.  The one who does God’s will is the one, like Mary, who is open to the work of the spirit within them.  God is not found outside of oneself, God is lived within.

 

In Mary, we are to see ourselves.  She is a mirror.  As we look at her we are awakened to the reality that God chooses us to come into the world.  In this new way we are God’s chosen people.  We become, if you will, the mother of God.  By our love God is born this day.  Let us rejoice with Elizabeth that the Lord has come to us.  Let us pray that God’s word to us will find fulfillment!