Dear Brothers and Sisters:
On this Fourth Sunday of Advent Luke reminds us of the simplicity of Mary and Elizabeth. It is good to ponder this habit of simplicity, to be free from complications, from putting on airs. Especially as everything is accelerating before Christmas it is important to be simple and to pray, waiting for the Coming One is this second part of Advent.
Mary who is already expecting the Messiah in her virgin womb does not rest on her laurels and says, ‘well since I am the Mother of God people should come to me.’ Just the opposite: she goes with haste to the town of Elizabeth a journey of several days for Mary, and serves her. How often do you and I put things off, thinking ‘I can do this tomorrow or next week’ and that day may never come? Simplicity helps us to do important things right away, to live in peace and not to be so anxious.
‘Mary went with haste’ can also be translated as ‘Mary went very thoughtfully,’ something not easy to do. She went quickly, not frantically. She went to serve, not to sit back on her pride. She went on a journey of several days despite the dangers of travel and of bandits. Mary went without worrying about herself.
The humility and simplicity of Elizabeth is striking. She is in wonder that the ‘mother of my Lord’ comes to her. How does she know that Mary is expecting the Messiah? The early Church fathers said that Elizabeth was a prophetess—she prophesied that Mary was the Mother of God before anyone told her. Also when John leaps in her womb she thinks it can only be for one reason: and she pours out her praise of Mary. She says, blessed are you, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Powerful words you say when you pray the Hail Mary.
Elizabeth tells Mary and us, blessed are you who have believed! Do we believe in this promise that Jesus can be born in us this year? Elizabeth thinks so let us not doubt her words. There is still five days left to prepare yourselves for the coming of the Lord. Make some space for him!
