Sunday Reflections | Fourth Sunday of Advent
By SIDTP SoCom
Published on December 22, 2024
Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said,
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
This Gospel brings us into one of the most beautiful and tender moments in the story of Jesus: the meeting of Mary and Elizabeth. Both women are carrying miraculous lives within them—Mary is carrying Jesus, the Savior, and Elizabeth is carrying John the Baptist, who will prepare the way for Him. Their encounter is a joyful celebration of faith, trust, and God’s promises fulfilled.
Mary, having just received the news from the angel Gabriel that she would bear the Son of God, does not keep this extraordinary gift to herself. Instead, she goes “in haste” to Elizabeth. This reflects Mary’s humility and her desire to share her joy and serve others. In this, Mary teaches us that true faith leads us to action—toward loving and supporting others.
Elizabeth’s response is equally moving. Filled with the Holy Spirit, she recognizes the profound truth of Mary’s child and calls her “blessed.” This blessing is not just because Mary is carrying Jesus, but because she believed in God’s promise. Elizabeth’s words remind us of the power of faith and trust in God.
The moment when John leaps in Elizabeth’s womb is a sign of the joy that comes from being in the presence of the Lord. Even before his birth, John recognizes Jesus, reminding us that encountering Christ brings deep and abiding joy.
For us, this Gospel invites reflection on how we respond to God’s presence and blessings in our lives. Like Mary, do we share our faith and blessings with others? Do we respond to God’s call with trust and humility? Like Elizabeth, do we recognize and celebrate God’s work in the lives of those around us?
This passage also challenges us to think about how we prepare to welcome Christ during this Advent season. Are our hearts leaping with joy at His coming? Are we ready to acknowledge His presence in our daily lives and in the people we meet?
Let us take Mary and Elizabeth as our models—women of faith, joy, and humility. May we carry Christ in our hearts, bringing His love and presence to others, and may we rejoice in the blessings He continues to pour out on us and the world. Blessed are we who believe that God’s promises will be fulfilled.
