Blessed Are You Who Believed

12-22-2024Weekly ReflectionFr. Augustine Acheme, VC

On this Fourth Sunday of Advent, the Gospel reading (Luke 1:39-45) presents us with Mary’s visit to Elizabeth. This meeting is filled with joy, wonder, and profound faith. Mary, upon receiving the message from the angel Gabriel that she would bear the Son of God, sets out “in haste” to visit her cousin Elizabeth. What unfolds is a moment of deep connection between the two women, and a powerful affirmation of Mary’s faith and obedience to God’s will.

The focus of this reading is Mary’s faith- her willingness to trust in God’s promise, even when it defi ed all human logic. Elizabeth’s words capture this perfectly: “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” Mary’s faith is not passive; it is active and courageous. Despite the uncertainty and the potential challenges she faced, Mary responds to God with a wholehearted “yes.” Her journey to Elizabeth is a testament to her readiness to embrace God’s plan and her desire to share the joy of God’s work in her life.

This encounter is also a powerful reminder of the role of community in our faith journey. Mary and Elizabeth support and affirm each other, rejoicing in what God is doing through them. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognizes Mary as “the mother of my Lord,” and the infant in her womb, John the Baptist, leaps for joy. This scene shows us that faith is not meant to be lived in isolation; it is nourished and strengthened through relationships, through the sharing of our joys, struggles, and hopes.

The first reading from Micah (Micah 5:1-4a) speaks of the small and seemingly insignificant town of Bethlehem, from which a ruler for Israel will come. This prophecy reminds us that God often works through the humble and the unexpected. Just as God chose Bethlehem, He chose Mary- a young, humble woman from Nazareth- to be the mother of the Savior. This theme of God working through the lowly continues in the lives of Mary and Elizabeth, reminding us that God’s grace is not bound by human expectations or status.

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, Mary’s example calls us to embrace God’s will with trust and courage. She shows us that true blessedness lies in believing in God’s promises and being open to His work in our lives, even when it seems beyond our understanding. In these final days of Advent, let us ask for the grace to respond to God with the same faith and openness that Mary did, allowing His plan to unfold in our lives, and sharing His joy with those around us.

Fr. Augustine Acheme, VC