On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we near the end of the Advent season. The readings recall how God visits his people. In the passage from Micah, the people of Israel are reminded that the Messiah will come from the least significant of the tribes, Bethlehem. Yet, he will shepherd all of Israel and “be peace.”
This is what the Messiah does; he rules, saves, and is peace for the people. Just as Christ came to do the Father’s will, so, too, should we do the will of Christ by following his commands. The second reading is Eucharistic, reminding us that the sacrifice of the body and blood of Jesus Christ consecrates us to God.
In the Gospel, we hear a snippet from the visitation, in which Mary (and the fetal Jesus) visit Elizabeth, bringing the presence of God and evoking a prophetic response. When God visits us in the form of others, what is our response? Do we rejoice like Elizabeth? Are we challenged to worship more fully by bringing God to others as God has come to us?
On behalf of our staff and volunteers, I want to wish all of you a joyous Christmas season. May the love of the Christ Child permeate your homes and families this Christmas and give you much peace.
Msgr. John
