December 19 Homily

Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 19, 2021

Readings (Please click here to read full text)
    Reading I: Mi 5:1-4a
    Responsorial Psalm: Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19.
    Reading II: Heb 10:5-10
    Gospel: Lk 1:39-45

If we can recognize and see Jesus alive in others, we will be blessed. 

When Mary visited Elizabeth, after having heard from Archangel Gabriel that she was already in the 6th month of her pregnancy despite her being advanced in age, Elizabeth’s infant inside her womb and Elizabeth herself having been filled with the Holy Spirit, immediately recognized God’s presence in the womb of Mary. She acclaims that Mary is blessed among women and calls her the mother of her Lord. She was so blessed to have been visited by the Lord and His mother that the infant in her womb leapt for joy. She was blessed because she recognized the visitation of the Lord through Mary.

Perhaps there were many times in our lives that God visited us through the different people around us, even those whom we see as unpleasant, dirty and unlovable, the poor, street beggars, and many ordinary people in need. Do we recognize Jesus in them? Do we attend to them as if they were Jesus Himself? St. Teresa of Calcutta emanates Elizabeth’s joy every time she helps the homeless dying. She said, "Seeking the face of God in everything, everyone, all the time, and his hand in every happening; This is what it means to be contemplative in the heart of the world. Seeing and adoring the presence of Jesus, especially in the lowly appearance of bread, and in the distressing disguise of the poor." It may be easy for us to see Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist. But, is it also easy for us to see His presence in the poor?

Therefore, if we want to be blessed like Elizabeth, let us open our hearts to recognize God’s presence even in the most unlikely of people, the poorest of the poor.

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

Image credit: pixabay.com