Advent: Experiencing the Joy of the Lord

Reflection on Today's Readings, Tuesday of 4th Week of Advent, Year C, December 21st, 2021

Texts: Song of Solomon 2:8-14; Psalm 33:2-3.11-12.20-21; Luke1:39-45
Today we are given the gospel reading of last Sunday to explore more the mystery of incarnation. The incarnation is different from the Nativity, the birth of your Lord. Incarnation is the taking of the flesh of the Son of God,  our Lord Jesus Christ. At this time of Advent incarnation has taken place,  God has assumed our nature in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary; He is already one of us. The joy of His presence is the focus in today's reflection. The incarnation has brought joy to the world. Today's first reading calls attention to joyful vibes the incarnation has generated among us. Placing our Lord on mountain and hill, where He is creating the joyful vibes, put Him at a distance, showing that the joyful vibes are created remotely but close enough for our experience and participation. The joyful vibes herald His coming. He is out of sight but physically present in the womb of Virgin Mary. Virgin Mary is now the mountain and hill where we encounter God. This is clear in today's gospel reading; for it is said, "And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the child leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!'" Elizabeth encounter the presence of the Lord through Mary's presence.
The gospel reading also shows that the first reading looks forwards to the encounter of Virgin Mary with Elizabeth, for it places the location of the encounter in a hill country: "In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth." Hence, the first reading is fulfilled in the encounter of Mary with Elizabeth. Jesus Christ has brought us joy. We receive the joy by our faith in Him. Hence, it is said, "And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” Let us renew and intensify our faith in Him so that we may participate in his joy.

Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for the joy you have brought to the world; help us to grow in faith that we may participate in the joy. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke