Reflections for Sunday
Fourth Sunday of Advent - December 21, 2003
Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she cried out in a loud voice, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. But who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me? The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby stirred in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who trusted that the Lord's words to her would be fulfilled."Luke 1: 42-45
God's Promises
Blessed is she who trusted that the Lord's words to her would be fulfilled. These words of Elizabeth to Mary describe succinctly the life of faith. We live in hope that God who brought all creation into being will bring all to fulfillment. We live by his word and his promises.
But what is God's word for us, and what are his promises? God's word in its fullness is beyond our understanding. But as we grow in faith, the light of God's word dawns in the darkness of our life, and we begin to discern the content of his promises. Among them are these:
- God will restore justice to the earth.
This is both a consolation and a challenge. The world cries out for justice. The downtrodden are almost without number. Some are unmoved by their plight, and would even exploit them for their own gain. These do not fear God, but they must face him in the end and answer for their deeds. But those who hunger for righteousness and strive for good will be blessed.
- God will comfort us and heal us of pain and sorrow.
No one is spared the burdens of earthly life. The journey of life takes us along an arduous road. But the sufferings of this life cannot compare with the blessings of heaven. Then we will be with God, and in the eternal springtime of his love, everything else will be forgotten.
- God will forgive our sins and fill us with the desire for good.
The greatest burden of human life is the dividedness of our own heart. We are torn between the love of God and every lesser desire. If we could overcome every other evil in the world, and bring peace and justice to all, we would still be left with this - our own heart divided. But in the end God will break down the barriers that separate us from his love. He will give us a new spirit to know him, and a new heart to love him and delight in doing his will.
- God will cherish us in his love for all eternity
God created us for no other purpose than to love us and to hold us close to his heart forever. Nothing can separate us from his love. When he comes in glory to gather all his children into the kingdom, perhaps a few will take their stand on the side of evil in a final refusal. But to the faithful, to those who have longed for his love, to those who have sought him with sincere heart, he will give the blessing of eternal life.
Lord Jesus, we await your coming in eager expectation. Give us the faith to watch vigilantly for you. Guide us with your word, that we may act justly in all we do, and be numbered among those who enter your kingdom filled with rejoicing.