When God saw the world falling to ruin because of fear, he immediately acted to call it back to himself with love. He invited it by grace, preserved it by his love and embraced it with compassion.
- Peter Chrysologus, "Sermon"
(Still does! Let yourself be so embraced by this Love and compassion.)
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1 SM 1:24-28; 1 SAMUEL 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8ABCD
LK 1:46-56
Mary said:
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
for he has looked upon his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
and has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.”
Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months
and then returned to her home.
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Reflection on the Scriptures |
In this season of Advent, we have been awaiting the coming of Jesus in Bethlehem. Among the images that come to mind for me as I ponder the absolute wonder of what we await is a picture of a mother - and father-to-be. I imagine them, carrying in their hearts the uncertainty and exceptionality of what had entered into their lives. And yes, of course, I imagine a nativity scene with Jesus, Mary and
Joseph.
These images, though predictable for the liturgical season, are a departure for me from what I typically envision when I think of Jesus. Usually, I imagine him as a man. I am sitting with him, listening to him, and seeing him in his ministry. I imagine myself as his companion. This is why today's reading from Luke is so striking for the season. It shows Mary as Jesus' companion; indeed, his first companion. As
Mary proclaims God's greatness to Elizabeth, Jesus is there. Though still carrying him in her womb, Mary has already been transformed by Jesus' presence within her. Invoking God's promise, her trust is complete.
As we await Jesus' coming at Christmas, let us pray that such trust enters into our hearts as it did for Mary. Let us pray, further, that we demonstrate and share the joy that this trust brings to those we meet, just as Mary shared with Elizabeth. Let us share this joy with one another.
- by Scott McClure
The Son of God Became Human
From The Catechism of the Catholic Church
Part One, Section Two, Chapter Two
Article 3: He Was Conceived by the Power of the Holy Spirit, and Born of the Virgin Mary
Paragraph 1: The Son of God Became Man
I. Why Did the Word Become Flesh?
456 With the Nicene Creed, we answer by confessing: "For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit, he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and was made man."
457 The Word became flesh for us in order to save us by reconciling us with God, who "loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins": "the Father has sent his Son as the Saviour of the world", and "he was revealed to take away sins":
Sick, our nature demanded to be healed; fallen, to be raised up; dead, to rise again. We had lost the possession of the good; it was necessary for it to be given back to us. Closed in the darkness, it was necessary to bring us the light; captives, we awaited a Saviour; prisoners, help; slaves, a liberator. Are these things minor or insignificant? Did they not move God to descend to human nature and visit it, since
humanity was in so miserable and unhappy a state?
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