Reflection for the Fourth Sunday of Advent – Dec 19, 2021

By Carol Craven, Notre Dame Associate

Today, I sit before an icon of the meeting between Mary and Elizabeth. I ponder what that must have been like for each of them. So, I enter the scene and observe the two women and their warm embrace. Each of them pregnant, Mary who is not married and Elizabeth who was barren. Both marginalized in their society. Both trusting that God is working through them. I wonder what they are thinking.

I watch as Elizabeth says to Mary, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Elizabeth’s baby jumps with joy. What a marvelous moment. What a joyous encounter! Elizabeth says to Mary,” How does this happen to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

I want to ask Mary what it must be like to have, at such a young age, the ability to say “yes” to God. I want to know what it must be like to bring forth God’s word in human history. I want to know what it must be like to totally trust that you are doing God’s will. I want to know what it must be like to totally trust that God will be with you on that journey that you accepted to be the mother of Jesus and walk with him from birth to the cross. I want to know what it must be like to say a “Yes” to God.

I ask myself, “What would I do if asked to participate as you were asked.” And so I leave the moment of encounter filled with questions. How do I respond to this encounter? What questions must I ask myself about the marginalized, doing God’s will, discernment in my daily life, being open to possibility, increase awareness of the of injustices in society. How do I learn to say a Mary “Yes” to God.