Advent: Our Response to God's Favour

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Wednesday of 4th Week of Advent, Year C, December 22nd, 2021
Texts: 1 Samuel 1:24-28; Ps. 1 Samuel 2:1.4-5-8abcd; Luke 1:46-56
The question, today, is how do we respond to God's favour. Hannah, in today's first reading, dedicates her son to God for what God has done for her. She says, "For this child I prayed; and the Lord has granted me my petition which I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.” Today's psalm is the song she sang to magnify the Lord. The gospel reading is the song Virgin Mary sang to magnify God. Virgin Mary magnifies the Lord for what He has done for her. She says, "My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour. For he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden."
What has been our response to God's daily favour? What has been our response to God for the gift of life? What has our response to God for our talents? In incarnation God has shown us more favour, He has given us His son. As God has given us His Son, so also we are to give our lives to God. In incarnation, God has called us to participate in His life. Just as God has shared His life with us in incarnation, so also we are to share our lives with Him. In incarnation God has shown us how much He loves us; we are to show Him how much we love Him by keeping His words, obeying His commands and observing His law. God has been so good to us, let us be good to ourselves, to one another. Let us respond favourably to God's favour by dedicating our lives to Him and to magnify Him in our hearts.

Lord our God, we praise You for all your goodness towards us, help us to live daily in appreciation of Your love for us. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke