By Msgr. Joseph P. Calise
For the past few weeks we have been hearing about the preaching of John the Baptist. In today’s Gospel we see the beginnings of his career as precursor of the Lord.
At the moment of the Visitation it is not Elizabeth who recognizes the presence of Jesus, but John who leaps in her womb to let his mother know that she is in His presence. It is his joy that causes Elizabeth to proclaim Mary’s blessedness, and question her own worthiness that the mother of her Lord should come to her. But it is precisely because Mary has come to know that she is the mother of the Lord that she went to Elizabeth.
Whenever we see the Annunciation portrayed in art we see a picture of serenity that is probably far from the reality. Although Mary was obviously of child-bearing age and her acceptance of the angel’s message was undoubtedly made with great trust in God’s promise, there were still practical realities that were going to have to be faced that could prove difficult. For example, she had to tell her parents. Joachim and Ann were faith-filled people, but this announcement would be difficult for any parents to understand. Mary was also already betrothed to Joseph. The relationship of betrothal meant more than simply being engaged. Mary’s pregnancy would be interpreted as a serious infidelity – as Scripture tells us that Joseph had decided to divorce her quietly. He changed his mind after his own Annunciation, a visit from an angel who told him not to fear, but to take Mary as his wife and care for the child.
The serenity depicted in art is obviously meant as a reminder that we are in the realm of the sacred; the events and grace to accept them are part of God’s plan, a plan attested to by the pregnancy of Elizabeth, Mary’s kinswoman, already advanced in years. That revelation, however, did not cause Mary to ponder her own importance, but rather Elizabeth’s potential need which, in turn, inspired the visitation in today’s Gospel.
St. Paul in the Letter to the Hebrews quotes Christ as saying that He comes to do the Father’s will. Certainly, all the Scriptures attest to that, but also invite us to participate in His doing the Father’s will. Christ has given us an example so that faith in Him demands demonstration in action. To be authentic, faith must be lived, not merely spoken. Mary’s faith leads her to serve her kinswoman. It also leads her to be the only person who was with Christ from the crib to the cross and beyond. John’s faith leads him to leap for joy, prepare the way and accept martyrdom. Elizabeth’s faith leads to humility, which engenders the proclamation of Mary’s blessedness, John’s witness and her own recognition of the presence of the Divine.
Our faith also needs to be demonstrated. Hopefully, all the busyness of these days attests to our faith that Christmas is the celebration of Christ among us, and the gifts, cards and decorations are lifting our spirits to hear the proclamation of Christ alive and present in the world. But maybe we are called to something more as an expression of faith. Perhaps we can reach out to someone from whom we have been estranged or invite someone to join us who might otherwise be alone. A prayer of gratitude is made more special when accompanied by a gift to the poor.
Mary’s faith led to service; John’s faith led to proclamation; Elizabeth’s faith led to praise. May our faith lead us to the imitation of Christ in acceptance of His will, however He reveals it.
Readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent
Micah 5: 1-4A
Psalm 80: 2-3, 15-16, 18-19
Hebrews 10: 5-10
Luke 1: 39-45
Msgr. Joseph P. Calise is the pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish, Williamsburg.