Breaking the Word

Fourth Week of Advent, Monday – 20^th December 2021 — Gospel: Luke 1,26-38

Significant Announcement

This birth announcement scene has some resemblance in the language of the Old Testament (Judg 13,2-7) and parallels to the announcement to Zechariah (Lk 1,5-25). The two annunciation stories of the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus have some distinctive and common features. Angel Gabriel appears in both scenes, telling Zechariah and Mary not to be afraid (1,13,30) and announcing the unexpected birth of their children (1,13.31). Both are reassured after raising an objection (1,18-19.34-35), and a sign is given to each of them (1,20.36). In contrast the announcement about John comes to a priest in the midst of public worship at the temple, while the announcement about Jesus comes privately to a humble woman in a small village. However, the angelic announcement to Mary highlights Jesus’ singular significance as Davidic Messiah (1,31-33).

4^th Sunday of Advent – 19^th December 2021 — Gospel: Luke 1,39-45

Women of Saints

In the Gospel, we learn about the question that Elizabeth asked to Mary: “And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? (Lk 1,43).” While the mother of Jesus, the Savior was answering to the greeting of the mother of John the Precursor, John exultant in his mother’s womb greeted Jesus. Neither of them had yet been born, but they were both already fountains of joy. Jesus was in the womb of Mary, who was happy to carry this presence. John was in the womb of Elizabeth, who was happy not to be infertile anymore. The words of the prophet Jeremiah apply very well to John: “Before I formed you in the womb of your mother, I knew you: and before you came forth out of the womb, I sanctified you, and made you a prophet among the nations. (Jer 1:5)”

From the beginning of Jesus’ life, John plays the role of the precursor. We must consider that John, the son of Elizabeth and Zachariah both born into families of priests, is not just the last of the prophets. He also represents the priesthood of the Old Covenant and, as a result, prepares mankind to the spiritual cult of the New Covenant. The Christmas of the Precursor invites us to be a sign of grace and salvation to each other, indicating Christ as the Eternal in time and the innocent Lamb who takes away the sins of the world.

It is important to underline that Elizabeth and Mary are joyful women because they have become mothers of saints. The sterile one in her old age has given birth to John the Baptist; the Virgin has given birth to Jesus whose name means “God saves”. Mary is blessed among all women and all women are blessed in her. With this blessing, all women can be mothers of saints. If a true encounter has the possibility to change a life, the one with God indeed changes a life in making it anew. God became man for our love. If we were aware of this love, we would cry for joy.