Fourth Sunday of Advent

Today's Mass Readings

Mary received the Archangel Gabriel’s message—she received her call that she would be the mother of the Savior of the world. And, what happens shortly after is that—Mary sets out in haste—quickly, with purpose and conviction to visit Elizabeth.

Mary, now with child, could have had every legitimate excuse not to make the trip to care for and be with her cousin Elizabeth in her own time of pregnancy. It was no doubt a difficult journey, but Mary made sacrifices to be with her, because Mary’s life was characterized by charity and a sense of mission, and she knew she was participating in God’s plan of salvation. The sacrifices she made were a sign of her great love.

We might not always “feel” like doing everything demanded of us. Especially during the Holiday season, many married friends of mine share how challenging it is to travel with young children or spend the time and energy at family gatherings. I think it’s always important for us to be prudent, and it’s true that there are legitimate situations where we need to discern whether or not we are doing too much and taking too much on. In such cases, maybe the best response is to offer a gracious “no.”

However here, what I’m suggesting is that maybe God is inviting us to shift our perspective to see our interactions with others as graced moments of meeting Christ. In the Visitation, Mary literally brings the presence of Christ to Elizabeth, and it’s a joyful exchange and mutually encouraging. Their time together is focused on giving thanks for the marvelous things God is doing in their lives. Mary’s journey was not a short or easy one, but this act of love and solidarity reminds us that relationships in families and friendships require effort and intentionality. Our love for others calls us to go out of our way to support and lift up one another, especially in times of need. It’s a shift in our perspective from seeing our busy schedule, not as a burden, but as a gift of encounter.

Even when we are with difficult people or experience the tension of strained relationships—God is there, He is with us, and God is still asking something of us. It doesn’t matter always how the other responds—we don’t control the other’s behavior—but the important thing is that we choose to respond with concern and charity.

The relationships in our lives are not a box to check off or something that we need to endure, they are gifts. We might want to renew the way we look at others and how well we listen or are present to them, whether we are present and attentive, or distracted and preoccupied.

Mary always teaches us to point to Christ, to be generous with others, even if they don’t express their gratitude and even if they cannot repay. Our sacrifices for one another, especially for friends and family, are expressions of our love for God. The love we receive from God in prayer, now pours out into the people in our lives.

Reflection by Fr. Paul Sheller, OSB