Fourth Advent with Luke

In today's gospel, we have the scene of the meeting of two great women of Israel, namely Mary and Elizabeth. The meeting of these two women is well depicted in many of the paintings in the Christian tradition. Most paintings described them in an intimate, joyful and ecstatic spiritual state. Hence, when Mary and Elizabeth got together, the vibes were all positive. This was not because both pregnant women were merely excited about the prospects of being mothers, but as both of them prophetically knew something about the significance of their forthcoming arrivals. Their first response which sprung up from this positive energetic encounter was this sheer joy. This experience of joy could even reach down to the womb of Elizabeth, thus, triggered the child to make a leap of joy. It was also a joy that caused Elizabeth to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Look! It is amazing that such a genuine encounter could open up human persons to experience tremendous joyfulness and newness of life. Indeed, this is a true human encounter, which in fact is possible for every one of us if we genuinely open up ourselves to each other. Thus, this would allow our joyous experience in and within us to penetrate through us to the very self, and eventually travels out to be shared with others. In this modern world, there is fair criticism around us, which states that our Christian churches seemed to be devoid of joy. It goes on to say that there is no radiance of contentment and inner joyfulness in our lives. In addition, no one wishes or dares to express their joy in a loud and exuberant way. Our church services have become too solemn to the point that it seems too genuine to be true. Thereby, sacredness has been identified with solemn, serious and rigid celebration, which in fact should be complemented with lots of joy. The Church should be a place for genuine human encounters, where we should feel full of grace and good about ourselves, and not be a place where we feel we are lesser and inadequate. The Church is a place where we feel we are complete with God. It is only when we feel we are indeed adequate, complete, positive, full of grace and joy, which God has made us to be, thus, any encounter will become a great genuine spiritual experience, just like Elizabeth and Mary’s experience. And through this encounter of Elizabeth and Mary’s, may we be challenged to rediscover joy in the celebration of Christmas.

Fr Robert Daniel Francis