4th Sunday of Advent Isolating….or……Identifying!!! Mic5:1-4a
Heb10:5-10
Lk1:39-45 Dear sisters and brothers, we are almost close to the manger to see, to worship, to celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus, as Emmanuel (God with us). This is the celebration for which humanity was looking for years, awaiting and preparing in so many ways. The world expected Him to be born at the greatest and glorious palace, but the shepherds found Him in an unnoticed manger, because He came to identify himself with us. We shall respond to the birth of our Savior here and now, beginning with the Eucharist and continuing in our life.
The unimaginable and unthinkable tragedy of Newtown school at Sandy Hook in Connecticut on December14 reveals not only the heroic efforts and sacrifice of the teachers but also the greater bond the teachers had for the children. The life of 20 innocent children and six adults will continue to be a big question in our mind for a long time; at the same time, those who were saved expressed how they experienced the close bond and protection of the teachers at that life-threatening moment. Teachers embraced, cuddled and covered in their arms not as students but as their loving kids. Fire fighters and volunteers are visiting and spending their time and offering their solidarity to make sure that they are not facing this alone.
You are not alone, yes this is the message of New town tragedy and of today’s readings preparing us for Christmas celebration. You are not alone, I am with you, I am born for you and I am there to feel for you giving peace and harmony.
We have a special reference to the place Bethlehem, Ephratha, in today’s first reading from the Prophet Micah. He is addressing people in the second half of the 8th century 250years before the birth of Jesus. Bethlehem is the new name for Ephratha which means in Hebrew house of bread or house of meal. Micah was clear and specific in mentioning the birth place of Messiah. The birth place, Bethlehem, was the suburb of Jerusalem. Bethlehem is the place where Jesse and his son David were born and they were well known kings, in particular David, with his political power and spiritual strength as leader. After the death of David it was divided into two kingdoms as north and south. The divided people were looking for the fulfillment of the covenantal promise and the rich exploited the poor. Here the Prophet Micah confirms that the promise of the Lord will be fulfilled by bringing harmony and peace. He will be the king forever in David’s clan. The little among Judah, namely Bethlehem, will be great with peace and harmony unifying humanity.
In the gospel of today, we have Mary who makes a 50-miles journey from Nazareth to a hill country, now called Ainkarem. Neither worry nor hurdles, nothing could stop her journey to visit Elizabeth. A fourteen year virgin making a four days journey alone is an extraordinary revelation. The word, blessed, is used three times to refer to Mary and the baby in the womb. She is blessed because she carries the good news and the messiah and she is sharing the good news to Elizabeth. She is the portable shrine with the presence of the Lord. People in the O.T carried and journeyed with the Ark of the Covenant. We read in 2 Sam: 6:10, the Ark rested in the house of Obededom for three months, and he and his house hold was blessed by God. Mary, as the Ark of the Covenant, with the presence of the Messiah and good news remained at Elizabeth’s home for three months. She shared the blessed message of harmony that God is with us, by showing her solidarity with Elizabeth; she proves that Jesus comes to identify with us in our status. This is a blessing, harmony and good news, because He is with us, he has come for us and He identifies with us. We remember gratefully Blessed John Paul II for declaring Mary as Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament or Eucharist.
Viki Soto was a 27 year woman, a committed and a loving teacher who was killed in the recent tragedy at New Town School in Connecticut. She died holding 6 children and saving 7children from her class. She is remembered for her goodness, blessedness, peace and harmony she brought to those children; she used to say that they are not students, rather they are my angels and kids; she identified herself with those little children, she was living for them, she was one with them. That is blessedness, good news and harmony. I am sure that gave her the courage to die with those kids courageously.
Divided Bethlehem experienced blessing, good news and harmony. Mary carried Jesus and witnessed as the Ark of the Covenant offering blessing, good news and harmony to Elizabeth. The clan of David embraced and identified with broken humanity in Bethlehem; Mary embraced and identified with troubled Elizabeth.
Whom do I need to embrace and identify with?
To whom do I need to be a blessing, good news and harmony?-Amen.
|
