Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc.
4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Psalter: Week 4 / (Violet)
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 80: 2-3, 15-16, 18-19 (4): Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
1st Reading: Micah 5: 1-4a
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, so small that you are hardly named among the clans of Judah, from you shall I raise the one who is to rule over Israel. For he comes forth from of old, from the ancient times.
Yahweh, therefore, will abandon Israel until such time as she who is to give birth has given birth. Then the rest of his deported brothers will return to the people of Israel.
He will stand and shepherd his flock with the strength of Yahweh, in the glorious Name of Yahweh, his God. They will live safely while he wins renown to the ends of the earth. He shall be peace.
2nd Reading: Hebrews 10: 5-10
This is why, on entering the world, Christ says: You did not desire sacrifice and offering; you were not pleased with burnt offerings and sin offerings. Then I said: “Here I am. It was written of me in the scroll. I will do your will, O God.”
First he says: Sacrifice, offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire nor were you pleased with them—although they were required by the Law. Then he says: Here I am to do your will.
This is enough to nullify the first will and establish the new. Now, by this will of God, we are sanctified once and for all by the sacrifice of the body of Christ Jesus.
Gospel: Luke 1: 39-45
Mary then set out for a town in the Hills of Judah. She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and, giving a loud cry, said, “You are most blessed among women; and blessed is the fruit of your womb! How is it that the mother of my Lord comes to me? The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy. Blessed are you who believed that the Lord’s word would come true!”
Lectio Divina:
Read: In the first reading, God promises David that he will establish his kingdom and his royal line forever. This promise was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus, a birth announced by the angel Gabriel in today’s Gospel. in his Letter to the Romans, Paul explains that Jesus’ birth is part of God’s plan for our salvation and the cause of our joy.
Reflect: Our time of preparation and anticipation is almost over. The Lord is near. For what are we waiting? David waits for confirmation that his royal line would be secure and longlasting. Many of the people of Mary’s time waited for a military leader who would overthrow the Roman occupation and bring a return to Israel’s glory days. We may be waiting for our family celebrations and the present exchange. But the true gift, the gift of inestimable value, is the gift of eternal life that Christ brings to those who believe in him. Though our Advent is almost over, our wait continues. We will continue to wait, to prepare, and to long for the day when our earthly journey will be completed and we will see God face to face.
Pray: Lord, make us ready to receive you.
Act: Take a moment of silence in the midst of the bustle to give thanks to God.
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