Are you ready for Christmas? That's the question we hear a lot this week. Preparations need to be made for gifts, decorations, food, travel, etc. Likewise, in today's liturgy we anticipate the coming of our Savior, Shepherd, Messiah and King. The question is, are we ready to receive him when he comes?
MICAH
The first reading is from the prophet Micah in the 8th century BC. He prophesied the Lord's coming judgment on Israel, but also the glory of a restored Zion. He also predicted, as we read today, that a future descendant of David's line would reign over a reunited Israel.
Micah prophesies that this future ruler of Israel would come from Bethlehem Ephrathah (very specific, since there was also another Bethlehem in the north). The prophecy refers to Jesus who will "shepherd his flock by the strength of the Lord."
In the Responsorial, Psalm 80, we call out, "O shepherd of Israel, hearken...Rouse your power and come to save us."
HEBREWS
Our second reading from Hebrews 10 gives us the attitude of Jesus as he comes into the world, "Behold, I come to do your will, O God."
The commitment of Jesus, his wholehearted focus, was to do only the Father's will. So should ours be as we finalize our preparations for the Christmas celebration.
GOSPEL
The gospel today is that of the Visitation. Upon learning that her relative Elizabeth was with child, Mary sets out "in haste" to the hill country of Judah (traditionally Ein Karem, near Jerusalem).
The sound of Mary's greeting causes Elizabeth's infant to leap for joy in her womb. Elizabeth, "filled with the Holy Spirit," cries out in a loud voice, "Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb" - words incorporated into the Hail Mary.
Elizabeth's words are profound and prophetic: "And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?...Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."
Today's gospel is an expression of faith: Elizabeth's faith that Mary is indeed the "mother of my Lord," and Mary's faith that the Lord's word to her would be fulfilled.
READY?
Well, ready or not, Christmas is coming. We hope we are all prepared. More importantly, we hope and pray that all are ready to meet the Lord when he comes for us, at the end of life or the end of the world.
On this Fourth Sunday of Advent, let us "borrow" from our mother, Mary, all that we need to get ready: her faith, hope, love and obedience to the Lord. With her help, we will surely be well prepared!