Fourth Sunday of Advent
Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Lk 1: 26-38
December 24, 2023 | Sunday
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God, to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. He was sent to a virgin, who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. The angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean. But the angel said, “Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you. You shall conceive and bear a son; and youshall call him Jesus. He will be great, and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the kingdom of David, his ancestor; he will rule over the people o Jacob forever; and his reign shall have no end.” Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the holy child to be born of you shall be called Son of God. Even your relative, Elizabeth, is expecting a son in her old age, although she was unable to have a child; and she is now in her sixth month. With God nothing is impossible.” Then Mary said, “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said.” And the angel left her.
Today’s Reflection:.
Faced with the archangel Gabriel’s message that she will be the mother of God, Mary remained humble and uttered the following words: “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said.” She chose to be God’s handmaid. She chose to cooperate with God’s plan of salvation and in doing so, brought forth the Savior of the world. God too chose to work with men and women, most especially with those who are open to His will like Mary. As we end this year’s Advent season and enter into the Christmas season, let us pray for the grace to be like Mary in her obedience to God’s will. Like her, may we also wholeheartedly say to God: “let it be done to me as you have said.”. / Vulnerasti, 2023
