Reflection on Today's Readings, 4th Sunday of Advent, Year C, December 19th, 2021
Texts: Mic. 5:2-5a; Ps.80:2ac53b.15-16a.18- 19; Heb.10:5- l0; Luke 1:39-45
God's interest in the lowly is striking and so great. Bethlehem was little among the clans of Judah. God's choice of Bethlehem is not dependent on its wealth, population, size or any other of its quality. God's choice of Bethlehem is completely dependent on His good pleasure, His grace. God loves us not based on our social status, wealth, power, influence, position etc. It is man who loves and chooses based on social status, position, wealth etc. God is moved by love but man is moved by gain.
One thing that is a constant occurrence in the scriptures is that God loves the lowly; God often chooses things that are taken to be of no value to manifests His glory. Before God there is no difference between little and multitude. God often manifests His glory through the little because it makes His glory evident; the great or multitude obscures the glory of God and glorifies man. In the little the glory is returned to God but in multitude or the great the glory is given to man. Those who are considered little should not look downcast because you have God on your side; you are vessels for God's glory. Live your life so well and let people see His glory in you. People of little should put their hope in God and God will turn them around for His glory.
The first reading also speaks of the period of divine silence. Divine silence speaks to the time of Advent. Advent is a period that the silence of God is experienced and His activities go unnoticed because of so much sufferings and pains. The sufferings and pains drift our minds away from what God is doing. It is period God is working out our salvation and creating a new thing. It is clear in the reading that tough time may extend to the night, joy and peace come with dawn; for it is said, "Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who has labour pains has brought forth; then the rest of his brethren shall return to the sons of Israel." This tells us that the birth of Jesus Christ is the dawn that comes with joy and peace. The birth of Jesus Christ comes with salvation; he will save us from our predicaments. It is said that we will experience in Him the presence of God; He will manifest the strength of the Lord and the majesty of God's name. His greatness will be acknowledged throughout the earth.
The woman, in today's first reading, is fulfilled in the Blessed Virgin Mary who is now holding our Saviour in her womb. Holding in her womb, she becomes a blessing to the world; for it is said, "And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” Just as those who bless Abraham are blessed, those who believe in the fulfilment of the Lord's promise to her will be blessed. She becomes a channel of God's blessing. This reminds us that whoever is blessed by God becomes a channel of God's blessings. The mark of being blessed is to become blessing to others. We are to be channels of blessing to others.
Today's second reading turns our minds to the value of obedience to God's Word. It tells us that a body is prepared for God in the humanity of Jesus Christ. This body is prepared by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is this body that is pleasing to God rather than sacrifices and offerings. It is pleasing to God because it is in this body that perfect obedience to God is attained. Hence, it is said "Then I said, 'Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,’ as it is written of me in the roll of the book." This tells us that what God demands from us is obedience to His Word. This is a call to keep the Word of God and live according to the Word.
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that we, who are weighed down from of old by slavery beneath the yoke of sin, may be set free by the newness of the long-awaited Nativity of your Only Begotten Son. Amen (Collect)
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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