Fourth Sunday of Advent

Gospel: Lk 1:39-45

The fourth Sunday of Advent is here. Where has the time gone? This Sunday’s readings are unified under the banner of love. Both the first and second readings contain stories about love. The first reading proclaims that a messiah is coming. The scripture highlights a messiah who loves their people and stands strong against the forces that have come to destroy them. The second reading is about the reason for Jesus’ birth. It is Jesus who comes to be our offering and the old way of sacrifice and offerings are no longer desired. It is in the Gospel that we hear the love story between not just Mary and Martha; but also Jesus and John the Baptist. It is when John hears Mary proclaim the greatness of God, that he jumps for joy in Elizabeth’s womb.

The liturgical celebration of Christ's birth is near; as we come to the end of this Advent Season, let us prepare ourselves to be loved and to love one another. Christ is coming, no need to sacrifice one another for God’s Love. We hold onto our light this Advent, by doing what Mary has done: proclaim the Good News and be of service to one another through love.

The Visit: Elizabeth Knows

Fr. Joseph A. Brown, SJ

Not  yet comfortably crawling

                                                    my little

one was twisting and rolling across

the dirt   as if something was scratching

his sides

                     and nothing would calm

his skin    or mind

                                       I paced

mirroring his agitated strife

when

             at the crest across the way

they let themselves be known

She was steadied by his arm

as he guided them

                                        along the path

toward us

                        Oh   I had held

my hope near my throat

                                          wishing

over and over

                         to pray

                                      for what

I could not say

                         when she  that day

threw wonder into my heart

and caused  this one  to push against

me  as if he wanted to share

that wonder   without a sound

I could not breathe her

into my arms

                         I could only

tell my heart to wait

                                    And now

we cried and cried

                               while

the men stood   staring  silent

this time by choice

                                 no longer doubting

the fire that found us

                                   from the first

sound of the stranger’s song

 ii.

As we ate    the bits of bread

and fish  and figs would only

play at filling us  where we

were most hungry  for the end

And never could we question

the song heard only once

                                         and forever

There   on the pallet by the door

one had covered the space with

a fierce force

                         and both

of them were simply breathing

as if they brought each other

a peace

                we had not ever

known or felt                  

                               Which one had

found the other’s tiny hand

                                             we

would never know

                               only

certain that the need

was finally met

Black Moses is the Call to Action Executive Director. He is based in New Orleans.