Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Advent
In reflecting upon the readings today one of my favorite Mary songs came to mind. The song “Breath of Heaven” is sung in first person as having the voice of Mary. This song imagines a Mary prayerfully allowing the Holy Spirit to breathe upon her so that she might accomplish what the Lord is asking of her. In the song,“So I offer all I am, for the mercy of Your plan.” The illuminates what Mary thoughts and feelings might have been before and into her pregnancy. Today’s gospel takes us outward from Mary’s yes as we hear Elizabeth’s affirmation of Mary and her praise for the Lord who even within Elizabeth is doing great things.
John leaps in the womb of Elizabeth’s voice with Mary’s greeting. It is if John is excited and filled with anticipation for the Lord’s coming. So to the lover in the first reading, who quiver’s with anticipation at her thought of her lover’s voice and presence. Imagine the anticipation in these two stories. This eagerness is alluring as we are drawn into to both of these stories. If we hear them well it has us sitting on the edge of our seats wanting to know what comes next.
This Advent season is short-lived now, yet we still have time to prepare the way of the Lord. Reflect on one way we could place ourselves more at the feet of our Lord. What change could we make so that Elizabeth’s excitement with Mary and her Child could be our response as well.
Good and loving God, we praise You for the gift of Elizabeth and Mary who modeled for us what it means to fully give themselves to the Lord! Help to offer ‘all we are’ so that our hearts might leap with joy at receiving You, who is Emmanuel.
- Michael Montgomery