4th Sunday of Advent: Newness of Love

Imagine you are Mary, heavy with a child and living in the slums surrounded with drug pushers, criminals, and noisy and fighting neighbors. And the news we hear tells us about inflation, ambush, higher water and electricity rates, and no 13th month pay. Yet we won Ms. Universe, and we hope to get more funds because of the upcoming elections.

Mary lived in a worse situation and had nothing except hope.

She commanded her soul to magnify the Lord, and then her spirit rejoiced in God her Savior.

Amazing woman.

What are you heavy with right now?

The shopping list? What feast to prepare in spite of the high grocery prices?

Have we tried to seclude ourselves from the holiday pandemonium, to stay in a remote and quiet place like Mary who sought to shield her body and prepare her soul and spirit to magnify the Lord?

No, we are busy wrapping our gifts and making our wish lists.

Are we afraid to be mocked if we choose to limit our material gifts, focusing instead on spiritual values? And have we sacrificed the true value of being like Mary, who manifests holiness?

Set aside your material weariness. Set aside the lists, the busyness, and the agitation.

Get down on your knees, and chant Mary's prayer.

My soul magnifies the Lord.

My soul magnifies the Lord.

And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

They will not look for material gifts from you, but they will look for hope.

Then, you shall be called blessed.