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ONE DAY IN AIN KARIM: SHE CAME TO SERVE

(A biblical refection on the FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR C) – 23 December 2012)

First Reading: Mic 5:1-4; Psalms: Ps 80:4-5,15-16,18-19; Second Reading: Heb 10:5-10; Gospel Reading: Lk 1:39-45

A man told me once that he stopped sending Christmas cards, going to holiday parties, and buying gifts. It was becoming too expensive and didn’t make sense anymore. We can all appreciate this feeling, when we’re stuck in pre-holiday mall traffic, or are crowding to the checkout counters and see the cash register totalling up large figures. But the expenses and inconveniences are soon forgotten in the hope of making someone happy with a gift purchased just for them.

Gift giving, card sending and visits are obviously things we don’t have to do. But these kind and thoughtful deeds strengthen our ties of family and friendship. The Scrooges may seen to be more happy since they don’t spend money on others or try to be friendly, but most likely they’re very sad and lonely people. The tragedy is that this is their own doing. They don’t realize that there’s more joy in giving than receiving.

We have an excellent example of the true spirit of Christmas in today’s Gospel, in the kindly deed of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She, being pregnant, could have easily chosen not to visit her cousin Elizabeth. But precisely because she was pregnant with Jesus, she could not remain aloof.

It was “with haste” that she climbed the long steep hill to her cousin’s home in Ain Karim, to willingly assist her. Her greeting was so divinely inspired and powerful, that it moved Elizabeth to spontaneous prayer and uplifted the spirit of her unborn child John.

When we visit friends and family we should carry with us that same joy-filled attitude, which in itself is a tremendous gift to offer another. Using Mary as our model, we might try to worry less about being entertained and concentrate more on helping and uplifting. Jesus told the world that He came to serve, not be served. I wonder if He learned that from His mother.

Happiness can be found in the most unusual places. Mary discovered it in the hill country, in the stable and even in exile, for Jesus was with her. Since He promised to be with us, our finest gift to others is to live and give His love.

Note: Taken from Fr. Jame McKarns, GO TELL EVERYONE, Makati, Philippines: St. Paul Publications, 1985, pages 194-195.

Sunday Scripture Study

Fourth Sunday of Advent - Cycle C

December 23, 2012

Click here for USCCB readings

Opening Prayer

First Reading: Micah 5:1-4a

Psalm: 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19

Second Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10

Gospel Reading: Luke 1:39-45

In this Sunday’s Gospel (which is also the Second Joyful Mystery of the Rosary, the Visitation), Mary, having just learned from the angel Gabriel that she is to be the mother of the Messiah (Luke 1:26-38), sets out to visit her kinswoman, Elizabeth, who is 6 months pregnant with John the Baptist (Luke 1:1-25).

Mary journeyed to what is now believed to be the village of Ain Karim, in the mountains of southern Judea. It was about a 120-mile journey from Nazareth where Mary lived, down the length of the Jordan Valley, and would have taken about four days.

Along with Luke 1:28, Elizabeth’s exclamation of verses 42 and 43 form the basis for our prayer, “the Hail Mary.” It also recalls similar songs of joy and honor found in Judges 5:24 and Judith 13:18, which celebrated the victory of Old Testament women over the enemies or their people. Mary, who gave her humble consent to God’s plan (Luke 1:38), was instrumental in winning the victory over the greatest enemy of all—that of sin, death, and the devil (Gen 3:15).

Whereas the last three weeks Gospel readings have emphasized the importance of John’s role as precursor to the Messiah, on this occasion we are able to see from the reactions of all involved (including the unborn John!) just who it is that “is to be ruler in Israel; whose origin is of old” and whose “greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth” (Micah 5:1, 3, from the first reading)

QUESTIONS:

From the 2^nd Reading, why was it necessary for Christ—the eternal Second Person of the Blessed Trinity—to come among men in human flesh?

What do we know about Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah (verse 40)? What kind of people were they (Luke 1:5-7)? How were their prayers answered (Luke 1:24-25)? What was their relation to Mary and Jesus (Luke 1:36-37)? Who would their child be (Luke 1:57-66, 80; 3:1-4)?

What reason (or reasons) did Mary “go in haste” to visit Elizabeth? Who else would “go in haste (Luke 2:16)? How long would Mary stay with Elizabeth (verse 56)?

The Church has long referred to Mary as “the Ark of the New Covenant.” Why? Compare this reading with 2 Samuel 6, where there are at least four parallels. How many can you find?

What was the unborn John’s reaction to the approach of Mary as she brought Jesus into his presence (verses 41, 44)? What is our reaction? What should it be?

How have I “set out in haste” this past Advent to share the Good News of Jesus with others? How can I continue to do so this Christmas-time, and beyond?

Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 64, 148, 448, 495, 523, 717, 2676-2677

Let us live as temples of God, so that it may be evident to all that God dwells in us. –St. Cyprian