24/12/2006 - FOURTH SUNDAY of ADVENT
- Year C
First Reading Micah 5: 1-4 Psalm 79
Second Reading Hebrews 10: 5-10 Gospel Luke 1: 39-48
Even in ancient times, there was already someone who proposed a journey of
holiness for Christians. The opera of someone named John, who lived as a monk
on the mount of Sinai, is famous. He wrote "The Stairs to Heaven",
describing Christian life as climbing the steps of a long and steep stairs:
that's why it was nicknamed Climaco, from the Latin word "stairs".
I cannot dream of doing anything of the kind because I would need to be in front
of that stairs (and I am not); also, because you are already in a good place
in the love of Jesus Christ, the source and model of all holiness! But, keeping
in mind that even something imperfect might be useful, I'll try to say something
on this subject. Let's begin with being aware of our own situation.
We are men, David's heirs, the Adam who put a few thoughts, a few doubts, even
a few suspicions, between him and God. Being suspicious that God might, in some
way, hinder David from getting to Him, being jealous of His freedom and doubtful
of His Fatherly love, David ignored His teachings. Many times these doubts and
thoughts are still present in us and impede us in the abandonment to God's designs;
even more, they allow us to judge Him negatively: "why does God not do
something; why does He allow such things; He should not…; if there was a God,
this would not happen…" and so on. These questions and these proclamations
distance our hearts from Him, and our minds no longer seek the Word and the
wisdom of the Father! We might, even, say "Our Father, who art in heaven…",
but, without giving meaning to these words, we stop them from transforming our
hearts. And the holiness, which we received as a gift at Baptism, will find
great obstacles in these, our, thoughts.
"The one, who is to give birth, will give birth!" This is the moment
of truth for the children of God, because the One who is to be born, will rip
off "the power" that others have over a people who suffers! Today,
our attention is turned to her, the one who will give birth. We anxiously await
her delivery, because we hope for freedom. The power of others, in fact, is
not so much human power, but the power of sin, which continues to cause suffering
to every man, and to all of humanity. The prophet, Micah, speaks of a mother
and, today, we observe this Mother running through the mountains to meet, without
envy, another mother. They both became mothers, unexpectedly, surprised by the
grace and the hand of God. Both allowed themselves to be loved and must, now,
learn to love and give of themselves, because the life they carry in their womb
is a gift that comes from above. The prophesies will be fulfilled. The expectations
of the people, which lasted for centuries and centuries, in the silence and
the secret of these two women, will, now, find fulfillment. As Elizabeth welcomes
Mary, John welcomes Jesus! The words that Elizabeth speaks to Mary reveal the
Son, hidden in her womb; the Son, who already has the greatest name - divine.
The joy which makes the son of the aging mother leap reveals the significance
of the name: the God that saves! God keeps His promises; God is here present
and effective.
Mary can finally abandon the fears that surfaced because of her new condition,
and make room for the joy that the whole world is about to received. Elizabeth
does not accuse her, does not criticize her and does not condemn her; instead,
not only does she understand, but actually praises her and proclaims her to
be blessed and holy. She is truly blessed by God as the mother of the Saviour
and truly holy with all of her being! She sings with joy, the joy that grows
within her through the fulfillment of the goodness of God, the joy that will
not diminish because of the way of the world in which, even she, must and will
endure.
The words, with which Mary expresses her exultation, have been adopted and repeated
by Christians, for centuries. Through them, the faithful give thanks to the
Father every day, because He is the real sun, from which they benefited during
the day, and He is the prize, with which each act of faith and love is recompensed.
They, too, suffer every day because of the pride and arrogance of the rich and
powerful and, every day, they enjoy the blessings of the poor and the afflicted,
of the pure of heart and the merciful!
Mary has become the teacher of the prayer of the whole Church, while she awaited
her Son and our Saviour. She is the teacher of prayer and the teacher of mercy.
The prayer opens the heart to generosity, and charity, lived, makes prayer true
and concrete! Mary's prayer began when she announced, in raised voice, the offering
which the same Son of God, and her Son, shattered the silence of eternity: "Here
I am Lord; I have come to do Your will!" Today, we, too, repeat these words,
with the whole Church, so that we can repeat the same exultation: "My soul
magnifies the Lord, and my spirit exults in God, my Saviour!"