Homily: Fourth Wednesday of Advent

Fourth Wednesday of Advent (Luke 1:39-45) “A Woman of Action”

“Sing of Mary meek and lowly Virgin Mother pure and mild.” These are words from an old hymn that is popular this time of year. Hymns like this give us a sense that Mary was kind of placid and humble. Perhaps she was, but then again, she had another side.

Women in 1st century Palestine were expected to stay at home. Usually, they did not go out unaccompanied especially a young woman who was in her early teens. When Mary hears of her cousin Elizabeth’s miraculous pregnancy, she rushes to her house which we assume was miles away. We do not hear of anyone traveling with her as she traveled.

This episode not only shows Mary’s compassion for her cousin. It also shows that she could be impulsive. She did not think about danger or what would be prudent. When we are young, we don’t usually worry about such things. 

This impulsiveness carried over to her later life. When Jesus was engaged in ministry, we get the impression from the Gospels that Mary followed the Lord to various places where he was engaged in ministry. She was not only Jesus’ mother she was also a disciple of Jesus. She wanted to learn from our Lord about how to follow God.

She did not desert her son even when he was arrested. She stood at the foot of the cross watching as Jesus was put to death. That was also a dangerous thing to do. Perhaps she endured the verbal abuse that Jesus experienced in his last hours. She was there when he died to lay him to rest. She cared for her son to the end.

We are also told that she was present when the Holy Spirit appeared at Pentecost. Mary was certainly no shrinking violet. We can remember her as someone who was willing to risk everything to follow her Christian vocation wherever it led her.

Reflection Questions:

1.    How do I think of the Blessed Virgin? What qualities would I say that she had?

2.    Do I follow my Christian Vocation wherever it leads? Do I hold back?

 Dear Parishioners,

           Please remember that we will be having a different Mass schedule this Weekend. There will be no Saturday morning Mass. Masses on Saturday will be at 4, 6, and 10 p.m. Masses on Sunday will be at 7 and 10 a.m.

          There are different readings for Masses. We have the vigil Mass and then the Mass at night. There is the Mass of Christmas dawn and the Mass of Christmas Day. Each Mass has a different flavor. It is good that we have two priests and can celebrate all the Christmas liturgies. Invite a friend to come with you this year.

          May Our Lady watch over our world as the Feast of the Incarnation approaches.

          Fr. Mark