Advent: The Lord's Coming is of Age

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Saturday, 4th Week of Advent, Year B, December 21st, 2020

Texts: Songs 2: 8-14; Ps. 33:2-3.11-12.20-21; Luke 1:39-45

Today's Readings capture the mood of the moment: our preparation is about to end and our Lord is already acting among us, his presence is being felt now. In the first reading the following words are used: "The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes, leaping upon the mountain, bounding over the hills. My beloved is like a gazelle, or a young stag." The Messiah does not just come but with great joy, energy and excitement: leaping upon the mountain and bounding over the hills. The Messiah is now close to the extent we can feel his presence and hear his voice. At first he was behind the wall, latter at the window, now at the lattice where we can see him and hear his voice. 

The first reading does not only tell us that his presence is being felt now but also that the time is ripe for his arrival. It is our Lord himself that discern that the time is ripe. It is put in the following words: "Arise, my love, my dove, my fair one, and come away; for behold, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone, and the voice of turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance." The time is ripe because by our preparation we have gained more virtues, we have become better, we are now fit for the Lord to meet us. He is drawn closer by our holiness of life. He is ready to meet us, to see our faces, and to hear our voices, for our faces are comely and voices sweet. Our faces are comely because they radiate holiness and our voices sweet because they are full of edifying words and blessings.

The gospel reading relays the mood by telling us how our Lord encountered Elizabeth in Virgin Mary, the mother of our Lord; He stirs up joy, the joy of salvation. Our Lord is present among us in the womb of His mother. Let us continue to encounter Jesus Christ in His mother, Mary.

Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for coming into our midst, may the joy of your salvation fill our hearts. Amen.

Rev. Fr. Andrew Olowomuke