December 20, 2009 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
20 DECEMBER 2009, 5:15, 8:00, 10:30
READINGS: Micah 5:1-4A; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:399-45
SAINT MARY PARISH, VIROQUA
Introduction: Over the last two weekends we have learned much about John the Baptist, a major figure of Advent. Today, our attention turns Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the first meeting between John and Jesus – both still in the womb. And, this day is about journeys.
1. First, the journey that Mary made to visit her cousin Elizabeth is sacred. Both women are pregnant. Mary has learned from an angel that she is pregnant and so is her cousin Elizabeth. Perhaps Mary is somewhat apprehensive. As of yet she shows no signs of pregnancy. However, if she finds that Elizabeth is pregnant, as the angel told her, then she will be certain she is also pregnant. Her journey is fruitful. Elizabeth is pregnant and says that Mary is the “mother of my Lord.” John leaps for joy in his mother’s womb. Mary and Elizabeth embrace and sing for joy.
2. We celebrate another journey too, the journey made by Jesus. Once upon a time there was a king who was rich and powerful. The King was very unhappy. He wanted a wife to be his queen. Now a political marriage could easily have been arranged with another country but that is not what the King wanted. He wanted someone whom he could love and who could love him. Only real love could fill his vast, empty castle and life. One day the King was riding through the streets of a small village in a remote corner of the kingdom when he came upon the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. He immediately fell in love with her. But there was a problem: she was a peasant girl. The problem was that he wanted to win her love, not buy her love. One of his counselors told him to just command her to be his wife. But the King would not do that. He could not command love. For the rest of his life he would wonder if she was a loving wife or a loyal subject. Another counselor told the king that he should shower her with presents of diamonds and gold and silk gowns. But the King would not do that. For the rest of his life he would wonder if she loved him or his wealth. A third counselor told the king to dress as a peasant so she would not be overwhelmed, and gradually reveal his power and position until she was ready to join him in the castle. The king did not like the thought of deceiving her. If their relationship was based on deception, how could she ever love him? Finally, the King knew what he would do. He renounced his royal robes, his power and authority. He became a peasant in that remote village, living and working and suffering beside the other peasants. After a number of years, he won the heart of the beautiful young girl. He took his new wife to another village in another country, where no one could have guessed who he was. After many years, he became sick; his wife loved him and cared for him. He died a peasant, but at his funeral the people looked at his wonderful, caring and in many ways extremely beautiful wife and said, "That man married a queen." (Soren Kierkegaard) God is the King. He is the Divine Lover. We are the object of His love. Only God would love so much that He would become one of us to win our love. St. Iranaeus, an early doctor of the Church, wrote, "Because of his great love for us, Jesus, the Word of God, became what we are in order to make us what he is himself." We are members of a royal family.
3. Now, we also make a journey. In this Advent Season we make the journey in our hearts to God. Jesus is our divine Companion. Because of him we belong to a royal family.
Conclusion: May we also leap for joy in the presence of such a friend!