Fourth Sunday of Advent
2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 | Rom 16:25-27 | Lk 1:26-38
“Here I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent!” -2 Samuel 7:2
When Mary got the news of the incarnation, she ran to her cousin Elizabeth, who welcomed her with even more good news. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the unborn baby inside her moved, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. Are we not all cousins? Saint Paul constantly reminds us that we are brothers and sisters in Christ, through the good news of the coming of Christ. The two women met and rejoiced together.
Whenever Christ is present, joy blossoms. With Christ, even in a Christmas without gifts, joy blossoms. With Christ, even in a winter with economic inflation, joy blossoms. With Christ, even in a family experiencing turmoil, joy blossoms. And what do we do with this joy? Elizabeth welcomes Mary a bright smile, with open arms. What a marvel! How do we welcome the immigrants among us? How do we serve the immigrants among us? With open arms? With a smile? Do we make an effort to learn their languages?
Some of us put them on the periphery. We know that they are there, we just pretend not to see them. God speaks to us through King David, saying, “it was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of the flock to be commander of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you went, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you.” Do these words sound familiar to us? It is God who brought us here through our foreparents. It is God who gave us the ability to work, earn and develop this nation.
We must extend the generosity and the welcome to others. Extend our helping hand and make them stand on their feet. They have already suffered enough, let us not make their burden heavier. The same God of residents and citizens is the same God of the immigrants. The word of God that reaches us says: “The Lord will establish a house for you, for me, for all God’s children, (for all the immigrants). And when your time comes, and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, and I will make their kingdom firm. Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.”
But it is through you and me that this shall be realized. It is through you and me that the Lord finds a shelter for immigrants. It is through you and me that the Lord feeds God’s children. It is through you and me that the Lord protects God’s children. Let us all encounter the body of Christ on the periphery. Let us embrace the living body of Christ, left under the bridges. Let us open our doors for those knocking for a meal, a coat, a shower, a glass of water. It is you and me whom Christ must use to reach our brothers and sisters, joining us from afar. Do not oppress a stranger. Remember, you were once strangers too. May the joy Christ born to us blossom among us, our neighbors, and to all those who love Christ. May the joy of Christmas dwell in us, for ever and ever.
Maryknoll Seminarian Joshua Mutende Maondo, of Kakamega, Kenya, earned a bachelor’s degree at Kenyatta University and is studying for a master of divinity degree at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Pledging his perpetual oath as a member of the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers last June, he was ordained a transitional deacon in October. His priestly ordination is planned for June 8, 2024.
The 2023 Advent Reflection Guide from the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns contains contributions from missioners around the world.
Featured image: Joy is near, writes Seminarian Joshua Maondo as he reflects on the Mass readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent. In this photo, a mother named Pendo holds her young son. The child requires constant care because of a severe disability. (John Eybel/Tanzania)
Questions for reflection
Tell a story of a time when you felt joy despite hardship. How is God calling you to welcome others?
Prayer
Creator God, your loving care is a home
for all. No one is a stranger to you. With your
generous blessings, watch over migrants and
all who leave their homes to escape oppression,
poverty, persecution, trauma and violence. Help
us to also be sources of blessings through our
acceptance and valuing who they are as persons
eager for wholeness of life.
Creator, you taught us to welcome all. Help
us to remember that the land we call ours is a
gift to be cared for and a gift to be shared with
all who come. May we be open to all those
searching for a safe and peaceful life.
R: Help us to pour out your love and compassion
to all our brothers and sisters.
– Sister Elizabeth Knoerl, M.M
