Homily: Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent (1 Samuel 1:24-28)

There is a mirroring that goes on in the writings of the New Testament with certain episodes in the Old Testament. The story we read today about the birth of Samuel is one of those instances.

In the first reading we hear how Hannah is barren and prays for a child so that her shame can be taken away from her. She receives the child she prays for so desperately. She sees her child as a gift from God, but she also sees her child as a person who will be born for a reason. He will change the course of history.

Samuel, the child to be born, becomes a great prophet in the history of Israel. It is he who picks out both Saul and David as Kings of Israel and anoints them. Under their leadership the nation of Israel becomes a great country, and the people enjoy the best circumstances in the nation’s history.

Hannah reacts to news of her son’s birth with a song of praise that we call Hannah’s canticle. She sings of the peace and justice that the people will enjoy because of the birth of her son the prophet.

The Blessed Virgin Mary reacts with the same type of joy. She realizes that the birth of Jesus is a monumental event in history. She also sings the praises of God with what we call Mary’s Canticle. Again, it is a hymn that predicts a coming time when a Kingdom will be established that will be idyllic. Peace, fairness, prosperity, will all be hallmarks of the Kingdom of Jesus.

We live in the Kingdom Jesus established, but it is not a Kingdom that is here all at once. The Kingdom of Jesus is something we are building all the time. At certain moments we may be discouraged with the fact that our efforts seem to be going nowhere. But the birth of Jesus is an event that cannot be reversed. God’s power is at work in our world. The Kingdom is here, will come, and will be for all eternity. Let us rejoice and be glad.

Reflection questions:

1. How am I building the Kingdom? What makes me pessimistic about the coming of the Kingdom of Jesus?
2. Is a baby a sign of hope for me? What child do I rejoice in today?

 Dear Parishioners,

         Remember the Mass times this weekend. We are having Masses at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on the eve of Christmas. Midnight Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 p.m. We will also have Mass at 7 and 9:15 a.m. on Christmas Day. 

        We will not have a Mass on Saturday afternoon (Christmas Day) at 4 p.m. We will have our regular Mass times on Sunday at 7 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. and 11 a.m.

        We would ask everyone to wear a mask at Mass and to try to spread out as best you can. This is another difficult year for all of us. Let’s pray for all our medical personnel who are operating under great duress.

        May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you.

        Fr. Mark