Gospel: December 22, 2023
(Friday)
3rd Week of Advent
Psalter: Week 3 / (Violet)
Responsorial Psalm: 1 S 2: 1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd
My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
1st Reading: 1 Samuel 1: 24-28
When the child was weaned, Hannah took him with her along with a 3-year-old bull, a measure of flour and a flask of wine, and she brought him to Yahweh’s house at Shiloh. The child was still young.
After they had slain the bull, they brought the child to Eli. Hannah exclaimed: “Oh, my lord, look! I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to Yahweh. I asked for this child and Yahweh granted me the favor I begged of him. I think Yahweh is now asking for this child. As long as he lives, he belongs to Yahweh.” And they worshiped Yahweh there.
Gospel: Luke 1: 46-56And Mary said, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit exults in God, my savior!
He has looked upon his servant, in her lowliness, and people, forever, will call me blessed.The Mighty One has done great things for me, Holy is his Name!
From age to age, his mercy extends to those who live in his presence.
He has acted with power and done wonders, and scattered the proud with their plans.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and lifted up those who are downtrodden.
He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.
He held out his hand to Israel, his servant, for he remembered his mercy, even as he promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”
Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned home.
Reflection:“Our faith challenges us as well.”
While it is certainly true that our faith is a source of comfort and strength in times of difficulty, our faith challenges us as well. Today’s Gospel is Mary’s song of praise, the Magnificat. In this song, Mary doesn’t praise God for the comfort and strength he has given her that will help her fulfill her calling to be the mother of his Son. Instead, she sings God’s praise because he upends the status quo and reestablishes his justice.
The story of Scripture is the story of God doing the unexpected. He favors the poor, the weak, and the humble rather than the rich, powerful and exalted. The hungry are fed. The sick are healed. Sinners are forgiven. God becomes human. Death is destroyed. Human beings gain a share in divine life. Mary, filled with God’s grace, carrying Jesus in her womb, and overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, sings of the justice of God’s kingdom, giving thanks for the role that she will have in bringing that kingdom to birth. How can we help to bring God’s kingdom? How can we live in God’s justice?
