Advent 4 (year C)- Luke 1:38-45 (46-56)

The Gospel for this week has two sections. The first section from Luke 1:38-45 refers to what was traditionally called the Visitation of the Virgin Mary. It tells of Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth. This biblical event has been observed on several dates on church calendars (July 2, May 31, and March 30), and it is certainly appropriate to highlight it on the Sunday before Christmas. The two holy women share their hope and faith in God's great acts to redeem His people.

The second section of this Sunday's Gospel, Luke 1:46-56 contains Mary's hymn of praise, usually known by its first word in Latin, Magnificat, "My Soul Magnifies". This biblical hymn has become a church canticle said or sung at vespers or evening prayer in the Western Church tradition. Mary praises God for His grace in choosing her to participate in His plan for redemption.

As Christmas draws closer, it is appropriate to spend some time reflecting upon the background provided in this Gospel selection from Luke 1. Elizabeth and Mary are special examples of people who receive divine grace and humbly submit to divine plans for redemption. Elizabeth is older and already tested by life experiences. Mary is younger and more innocent. Both of them are examples of humility joined with strong religious faith. They accept the call of God and submit to His plan for human salvation. May we also humbly and faithfully accept the call to be part of God's plan to save us and others!

Advent 3 (year C) - Luke 7:18-28

 A traditional theme for the third Sunday in Advent is ministry, and the Gospel from Luke 7 points to this theme- to the preparatory ministry of John the Baptist and to Christ’s earthly ministry among God’s people. The petty tyrant Herod Antipas has had John imprisoned - an imprisonment which will end in martyrdom. Luke 7:19 (KJV) reports, "And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?"

Perhaps John has become uncertain in prison. Or perhaps John sends his two followers so that they can meet Jesus. In either case, John the Baptist and his followers have heard intriguing reports about Jesus. Yet, Jesus doesn’t seem exactly to fit some of their expectations of the Messiah. He doesn’t seem very powerful in obvious ways. He is a teacher and a healer, not a powerful political or military Messiah. So, they ask, is Jesus the expected one, or should they look for some other deliverer?

 Let us notice how our Lord answers them. He does not claim great worldly power, and He does not launch into a theological discussion of the role of the Messiah. Jesus simply gives them a description of His own ministry. This description is based on Messianic prophecies from several chapters of Isaiah (chs. 26, 29, 35, 40).  According to these prophecies, God would bring strength and healing. He would even overcome death. The lowliest of God’s people would hear the good news of His grace and salvation. By alluding to these prophecies, Jesus is asking John’s disciples and others to draw their own conclusions. If they are spiritually sensitive, they will understand that He, Jesus, is God’s prophesied Messiah, the redeemer, the savior.

 In our time, Christ still asks us to look at the prophecies and at His work from the first century to our own day. He asks us to open our spiritual eyes and have faith in Him. We should that the One who is to come, the Messiah or Christ, has already come- has already been at work bringing God's redemption into human lives. Blessed are those who are not offended by Jesus, the divine Redeemer!

Advent I (year C)- Luke 21:34, 36

After contemplating a pause on blogging here, the arrival of Advent changed my mind. The Gospel for Advent 1, the first Sunday in a new Christian year, is from Luke 21:25-36. It contains several themes associated with the season of Advent. This is a time for reflection upon the theme of Christ coming into the world in various ways. Advent is also a time to emphasize spiritual and moral preparation for His arrival. It is a reminder of our constant need for renewed dedication to our faith in Christ.

A key theme of Advent is watching. Luke 21: 34 begins, "But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life..." (ESV). The same important idea is repeated in different words in Luke 21:36, "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (KJV). In other words, followers of Jesus Christ always need to be watching and praying about the end of worldly things and the arrival of heavenly things. This prayerful watchfulness applies to every day of our lives, and Advent is a special time for us to keep emphasizing readiness for God's present and coming kingdom!