“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
21st December 2017.
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THURSDAY, THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT
Reading 1: Song 2: 8-14/ Zeph 3: 14-18 Song of Songs describes the love that God has for his people and the longing he has for union with them.
Res. Psalm :Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21 Ring out your joy to the Lord. Our soul is waiting for the Lord. In him do our hearts find joy. We trust in his holy name.
Gospel: Lk 1: 39-45 Elizabeth is granted the great privilege of recognizing that Mary is carrying the Saviour of the world in her womb.
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OUR LIFE A SONG OF JOY
Today’s first reading from the Song of Songs, is a poetic song delightful to hear and visualize. Each of the lovers sings of the anticipated joy at the prospect of being together. But, they must wait. It is not yet time. The gospel story is a mirror image of this love song. It is the love story that exists among mothers and the babies they are carrying. Elizabeth has waited many long years for her promised child. Mary, young and newly pregnant has only months to wait for her fulfillment. Mary’s greeting, the infant’s leaping and Elizabeth’s song proclaim the certainty of the promise.
It’s easy to perceive the authentic joy in Elizabeth’s heart as she encounters the Mother of God and her Lord dwelling within Mother Mary’s womb.“And how does this happen to me that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?” This line reveals that Elizabeth took true joy in her encounter with Mary and saw this encounter as an abundant blessing. It’s also clear that Elizabeth is not the only one who is blessed to encounter the Mother of God and her Child. Elizabeth’s baby, John the Baptist, who is living within her womb, is also filled with joy and leaps as an expression of that joy. What an amazing effect this visit has upon both Elizabeth and her unborn child. This should raise a question in our own heart. Do you and I perceive the presence of Christ when He comes to us? If Elizabeth and her unborn child could perceive Him, shouldn’t we also be able to perceive Him? When you and I enter a church, for example, are we immediately aware of the divine presence of our Lord? Do we sense His closeness? And when we receive Him in Holy Communion, is our heart intently fixed upon the Savior coming to us and residing within us? This takes faith and it takes eyes that are fixed on the coming and presence of the Lord. As Christmas nears, let us with the lovers, with Mary and Elizabeth, sing a song of Joyful expectation.
Prayer: Lord, I do desire to see You and to know You. Help me, to be attentive to Your presence in my life, especially in Holy Communion. May we who celebrate the birth of your Son as man rejoice in the gift of eternal life when he comes in glory. May our hearts always leap for joy at Your coming to us. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.