Photo of the altar crucifixion window

Sunday Reflections


Saturday, December 21, 2024 - Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Holy Cross Parish

A fully lit Advent candle and the word LOVE

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
 

First Reading:            Micah 5:1-4a
Second Reading:       Hebrews 10:5-10
Gospel:                      Luke 1.39-45 – The Visitation


Lessons from our Mother


Mother Mary becomes the focal point of the Gospel on this fourth Sunday of Advent. Our Lady, shortly after discovering that she will conceive the Son of God, goes in haste to assist her cousin Elizabeth. After Jesus, Mary is the perfect model and example of how to live a life of deep stewardship. Let us take some time to reflect on this episode and glean insights on how we can better imitate her.


Firstly, we can learn a great lesson from how Mary “went with haste” to help Elizabeth. As stewards, we should not sit idle by and be half-hearted in our attempts to serve our neighbour.
Whenever we see a need in our parish community, let us strive to utilize our gifts to readily offer our help and support.


Secondly, we should try to imitate Mary in her role of bringing Jesus to others. It wasn’t so much Mary who brought help and comfort to Elizabeth, but rather, it was the presence of Jesus dwelling within her. As stewards, we need to constantly remind ourselves that it is not our own merits that bring about good and conversion in our parish. Rather, we must realize that everything is a result of the grace of God that is working through us. Let us conclude with the beautiful words of St. Teresa of Calcutta who says, “I'm a little pencil in the hand of a writing God, who is sending a love letter to the world.”


Summary

After Jesus, Mary is the perfect model and example of how to live a life of deep stewardship and we can learn a great deal by reflecting on her visitation. Firstly, we should imitate Mary’s “haste” in her visitation so that whenever we see a need in our parish community, we can readily use our gifts to help. Secondly, just as Mary brought the Child Jesus with her in her womb, we too need to constantly remind ourselves that it is not our own merits that bring about good, but Christ dwelling within us.

https://www.archtoronto.org/stewardship

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