4th Sunday of Advent 2021
Micah 5:1-4; Hebrews 10: 5-10; Luke 1:39-44
I think that it is fair to say that preachers do not always cover themselves with glory at this time of year. There is something about the approach of Christmas which seems to bring out the negativity, the inner Grinch, lurking inside some of those who have the responsibility of proclaiming the Good News.
My own parish priest, from my being nine years old until long after I was ordained, was notorious for his homilies at midnight Mass. In 1969, I recall him lambasting US President Richard Nixon for claiming that the moon landing, which had taken place earlier that year, was the greatest day since creation, a complaint which he must have been storing up for months. On another occasion, his voice rose to a crescendo as he roared “Christmas is NOT A TIME for eating until you are SICK, and drinking until you are STUPID!!!”. As my father commented wryly on our way home after Mass: “I am glad we know now what Christmas is about”.
More recently, I recall a priest congratulating himself on this Fourth Sunday of Advent on having delivered what he described as a “hard hitting” message about the evils of consumerism. He might have been less sanguine had he heard a visitor to the parish complaining to me about “that bad tempered priest with his cliché-ridden sermon, churning out all the old tosh about materialism at Christmas”.
This is surely a time of year to be positive, to recognise the signs of Christ’s presence in the world, and to convey that presence to others. That is what Mary does, in her visit to Elizabeth. She has received her own awesome news, that she is to be the mother of the Saviour, but she has also learned of her elderly cousin’s advanced pregnancy. Off she goes meta spoudes—“hastily”, “eagerly”, “as quickly as she could” (JB) to visit her cousin, thus bringing Christ to her and to her unborn child.
It strikes me that there are three lessons there for us. Firstly, Mary wishes to bring her own good news to Elizabeth. Secondly, she is, presumably, coming to help, to do what she can to lighten Elizabeth’s load during the final three months of pregnancy. Thirdly, she actually brings Christ to the household, and opens the way for the Holy Spirit to work.
What are the lessons which I mentioned? Firstly, we should be concerned to lighten the load of others, perhaps at this time above all, when many people, particularly housewives, may feel harassed. Even bearing in mind the difficulties arising from Covid, we should nonetheless take advantage of whatever opportunities we have of being supportive of anyone whom we know to be struggling.
Secondly, we should be bearers of good news. I am not suggesting that we should beat people over the head with the Gospel message: rather, that we be a positive presence, bringing joy by our attitude and approach. By doing that, we shall be bringing Christ to them, and enabling the Holy Spirit to work, far better than by becoming “preachy” and putting people off.
Mary gives a cheerful shout to let Elizabeth know that she is there, and God does the rest. John recognises the presence of the Redeemer, and leaps in the womb: Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit. There is no question of “Have you heard the Good News of the Lord Jesus?” Instead, Mary brings the Lord Jesus, and sets the Spirit free to work. Can you and I do that for someone this year—not being heavy footed and preachy, but bringing Jesus and liberating the Holy Spirit simply by our presence, our approach, and our demeanour? Mary went to be positive, helpful, supportive, and thus brought her Son who did the rest. Mary is the model of the Church, of you and me; so that is how we should be, imitating Mary, not the Grinch.
