AI Generated. Mary is too tall and Elizabeth is too young. AI – fizzle
Greetings on this the Fourth Sunday of Advent
Readings: Mi 5:1-4a; Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19.; Heb 10:5-10; Lk 1:39-45
Summary
By way of the cycles and the calendar year the gospel reading for Saturday of the Third Week of Advent and for the Fourth Sunday of Advent are identical. The reading differences are in the First & second reading and Psalm responsorial.
Reflection
Yesterday I described the reflection as a call to love in the book Song of Songs. While the lovers in the Song are clearly human figures, both Jewish and Christian traditions across the centuries have adopted “allegorical” interpretations (NABRE Commentary).
Today the supporting theme to the Visitation is the power of God to make real the promises he has made to us and the method by which the promise is fulfilled (who and how). With an ending thoughts for “you-me”.
Regarding the Christ as the WHO promise:
He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock
by the strength of the LORD,
in the majestic name of the LORD, his God;
and they shall remain, for now his greatness
shall reach to the ends of the earth;
he shall be peace.
And from the Letter to the Hebrews the HOW:
Then he says, “Behold, I come to do your will.”
He takes away the first to establish the second.
By this “will,” we have been consecrated
through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
So together Saturday and Sunday harmonize the reason, the person and the method of salvation.
Love, in Christ, by redemption.
In our gospel portion is the “me” point of the gospel. Yes, the direct persons are Mary and Elizabeth of course and we delight in praising them and praising the Lord for this marvelous dialog. But here is the part for the you-me. Yes, a new phrase, you-me. You are the Me of Elizabeth.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
Well, she does. To you-me.
And from our Alleluia verse, you are the me (in your own way):
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.
YOU-me. Mary and Elizabeth invite you to experience the Lord as ‘me’.
Personal Reflection
From time to time I also get confused and can fall into the trap of the you is not me but someone else more worthy.
No, the you is me – you-me. Me and you. No carve out exceptions.
Come share Mary’s and Elizabeth’s JOY. You. I mean Me. All us Me-ees.
Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122224.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
💓 fantástico
You are kind.