By Fr Francis Gonsalves, SJ –
Fourth Sunday of Advent – Cycle C
Readings: Mic 5:1-4a; Heb 10:5-10; Lk 1:39-45
“God, here I am! I am coming to obey your will” (Heb)
Three Scriptural Signposts for 4th Sunday of Advent:
1. Micah prophesied in Judah during the second half of the 8th century B.C., i.e., about seven hundred years before the actual coming of the Messiah. His preaching is particularly directed against the rich exploiters of the poor who will be punished by God. Nonetheless, there is a ‘remnant’—a little fragment of faithful people—who will be saved, and who will be instrumental in bringing God’s salvation to full fruition. Among the ‘little ones’ that often find mention in the First Testament, today’s first reading mentions ‘Ephrathah’ a small and almost unknown clan of the tribe of Judah. Yet, it had already become famous because David, the greatest of Israel’s kings, had sprung up from it. Micah foretells that a descendent of David will appear from Ephrathah where Bethlehem, the ‘little town’ of David, is situated.
2. ‘Bethlehem’—which literally means ‘house of bread’ in Aramaic—will be the janmabhoomi, the birthplace, of Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah. Micah advises his people to have patience and wait until “she who is in labour” will give birth (v.3). This also implies that the prophecy of Isaiah (7:14, regarding the “virgin who is to bear a child”) given some years earlier was known and remembered. Israel awaiting deliverance is compared to a pregnant woman in labour. As with Zephaniah last week, this is the only use of Micah in the 3-year liturgical cycle. Micah foretells the qualities and virtues of the Messiah, who will be both, shepherd (v.4, thus, caring and providing) and king (v.2, thus, ruling and protecting), whose governance will be great and will spread “to the ends of the earth” (v.4), bringing universal peace and joy.
3. The young woman who is to give birth is obvious reference to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Rather than the “merry Christmas” stress usually given this season, the readings in the runup to Christmas, and today’s reading, as well, puts the spotlight on MARY. It will help to contemplate “Mary’s Christmas”. Having said ‘yes’ to God’s invitation, Mary of Nazareth—barely sixteen or seventeen years old—hurries with youthful, sprightly steps to selflessly serve her aged cousin, Elizabeth, now coping with an unexpected pregnancy. As there are only two annunciation stories in the Gospels – which have already appeared in the 4th Sunday of Advent in the A & B liturgical series – Cycle C switches to the visitation scene. Note the role of the Holy Spirit in this scene. Mary is full of the Spirit; and, now, Elizabeth, “filled with the Holy Spirit” (v.41) addresses Mary as “blessed” three times. Mary is richly blessed because of her faith in, and obedience to, God: “Blessed is she who believed that the promises made her by the Lord would be fulfilled!” …. Not to be outdone, John the Baptist, who leaps in his mother’s womb [in what I call ‘embryonic evangelical impatience’] seems eager to see the light of day to proclaim the Good News of his cousin!
Possible Link in the 2nd Reading:
The second reading from the book of Hebrews highlights the fact that Jesus’ life was marked by total obedience to Abba, God. His life was a ‘sacrifice’ in the fullest sense of the word since it was a life totally given and not like the sacrifices of the Old Testament that involved shedding the blood of animals. The words, “You prepared a body for me … God, here I am! I am coming to do your will,” indicate the importance of the Incarnation. Mary gives Jesus a body, so to say, and Jesus will echo the “Yes!” he learnt from his mother, Mary, whose many ‘yeses’ punctuate their pilgrimage from womb to tomb. And beyond!
In Lighter Vein:
Thirty-year old Nishant was so taciturn and tentative that, after seven years of courtship, Neela, his girlfriend, felt he was never going to propose to her and that she would have to take the initiative. While they were sitting alone beside the sea, Neela said, “Nishant, will you marry me?” A long silence ensued. Then Nishant whispered, “yes.” Another long silence. Finally, Neela said, “Say something, Nishant! Why don’t you say something?” Nishant replied, “I’m afraid I’ve said too much already!” Saying ‘yes’ is never easy. But, when it came to obeying God’s will in her life, Mary always said ‘Yes!’ loud and clear. What about you and me? Do we always say, “Yes, Lord!”?
Fr. Francis Gonsalves is a Gujarat Jesuit, former Principal of Vidyajyoti College, Delhi, and currently Dean of Theology at Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune. He is also the Executive Secretary of the CCBI Commission for Theology and Doctrine. He has authored many books and articles and is a columnist with The Asian Age and The Deccan Chronicle national dailies.