Advent 2018 – Sunday Gospel Reflection for Week 4

Luke 1:39-45

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."

The Gospel of the Lord


Gospel Reflection

by Michela Sheehan, SNDdeN

She doesn’t go to school anymore, she just wanders a different path every day, not going anywhere, not belonging, just lonely and afraid, bewildered. If only she could meet someone who might understand, someone she could trust with her truth. Someone who would not judge and look away, someone who would take time, reach out to listen, to feel her pain, her distress, her anguish…someone who had experience, perhaps had been in her shoes, someone who might be willing to feel kinship with her, to love her in spite of her looks, someone to help her understand what to do this moment, this day. She was once friendly and helpful and smiling, now everything is different and she is alone.

Mary, confused and afraid, journeyed to an older woman, Elizabeth – who did not need to be told – she knew, she recognized the signs, and lovingly held the younger woman in blessing. Elizabeth soothed the fears with gentle caress. Mary was comforted, there was nothing to be explained. Loved and affirmed, she had only to ponder the wonder within her, to experience the quickening of life, to prepare to nurture and mother God.

Where are the Elizabeths today?

They are in homes and churches and offices and schools.

They are everywhere.

They are women and men who see the world as it is.

They want a change in poverty, and homelessness and acceptance,

And, like Jesus, they want to do their part.

ARE YOU AN ELIZABETH?

CAN YOU BE AN ELIZABETH?

CAN I?

They are in homes and in churches, in schools, and service organizations. Their life’s work is to listen, to befriend, to understand those who eventually come seeking assistance – not knowing what they need.

 

Meet Sr. Michela Sheehan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Our thanks to the Congregational Mission Office of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, which publishes Gospel Reflections for Sundays and Feast Days.