The 4th Sunday of Advent: A Reflection on Joyful Encounter
On this final Sunday of Advent, the Gospel invites us to journey with Mary as she visits her cousin Elizabeth. In this profound moment recorded in Luke 1:39-45, we witness a meeting of extraordinary faith, hope, and joy.
Mary, having just said “yes” to the angel Gabriel, is now carrying Jesus in her womb. Her first response is to go in haste to Elizabeth, who is herself miraculously expecting a child. This encounter between two women—one young and one advanced in years—is more than a familial visit. It is a moment of divine revelation.
When Elizabeth hears Mary’s greeting, the child in her womb, John the Baptist, leaps for joy. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, proclaims, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” She goes on to recognize Mary’s faith, saying, “Blessed is she who believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
This Gospel passage beautifully encapsulates the spirit of Advent. It is a time of joyful expectation, but also of faith and trust. Mary and Elizabeth, in their unique ways, show us how to respond to God’s promises with open hearts.
Mary, the first disciple, teaches us to go “in haste” toward others. Even though she was carrying the Savior of the world within her, her first thought was not of herself but of serving Elizabeth. Her humility and selflessness remind us to make room for others, even when we are busy or burdened.
Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, shows us how to recognize God’s presence in others. Her joyful exclamation reveals the profound truth that Christ’s coming changes everything—even before His birth, His presence brings joy and transformation.
As we prepare for Christmas, this passage invites us to consider our own hearts. Do we approach the Lord with the same faith and trust as Mary? Do we recognize His presence in those around us, as Elizabeth did? Do we leap for joy at the nearness of our Savior, like the unborn John the Baptist?
The 4th Sunday of Advent calls us to embrace the joy and hope of this holy season. As we light the fourth candle of the Advent wreath, let us pray for the grace to welcome Christ into our hearts and lives with faith and love.
Prayer for the Week:
Heavenly Father, as we approach the feast of Your Son’s birth, help us to imitate Mary’s faith, Elizabeth’s joy, and John’s readiness to proclaim the Lord’s presence. May we, like them, rejoice in Emmanuel—God with us. Amen.
In Christ,
Fr. Joe Connelly