My beloved sisters and brothers,
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!
On this last Sunday of Advent, there are only a few days left before Christmas, and I ask you to review your three important goals this Advent which I shared with you on the first Sunday of Advent. On your BIG – MAC paper; did you accomplished your goals? Are you ready to welcome Jesus into your lives with humility and gratitude this Christmas? Who are you bring with you?
In our Gospel, it talks about the story of the visitation which contains important characteristics of our Blessed Mother Mary. She is the first apostle of Jesus, meaning a person who has been sent – the bearer of Christ, who is acknowledged by Elizabeth, “why . . . the mother of my Lord comes to me?” Mary, felt the urgency to help her cousin Elizabeth. So, she “went with haste to a Judean town in hill country,.” Even she knew how difficult the circumstances of traveling would be. This shows what kind of apostle our Blessed Mother was that she sensed the urgency and did not delay! And lastly, Elizabeth stated that Mary — our Mother Mary – is blessed among women for God has chosen her to be the Mother of Jesus, the Mother of God. She was literally full of grace, for she was filled with the author of grace. She carried the author of life, the author of grace in her womb. Thus, our Blessed Mother Mary shows us the way for being disciples of Jesus.
Our second reading today from the letter to the Hebrews, reminds us to do God’s will like our Blessed Mother Mary did. “I have come to do your will, O God.” (Hebrews 10:7)
Who do you bring with you when go out into the world? Let this be our prayer today: “Let me always bring You Jesus, wherever I go this Christmas and beyond”. AMEN
Wishing everyone a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year. God loves you!
~ Fr. Neil