Texts taken from the Missal “On Your Word” November-December 2021

4th Sunday of Advent (C)
4th week of the Psalter

FIRST READING

From the book of the prophet Micah (Mi 5:1-4a)
Thus says the Lord: «And you, Bethlehem of Ephrathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; whose origin is from of old, from ancient times. Therefore he shall give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has given birth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the children of Israel. He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock by the strength of the Lord, by the majestic name of the Lord, his God. They shall dwell securely, for now his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth. He shall be peace himself!». – The word of God.

Commentary on the first reading

Here is another powerful clue identifying Jesus as the true Messiah. Micah, seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus, prophesies that the Messiah must be born in Bethlehem, a small village a few kilometers from Jerusalem. In the meantime, this region of Israel will have to be subjected to enemy powers, until the appointed time, which will be a birth («when she who is to give birth has given birth»). And what will this great shepherd born in Bethlehem do? He will shepherd with the strength of God and the majesty that comes to him from above. All this is quite clear, and when Jesus is born precisely in Bethlehem, he does nothing other than confirm the prophecies. It is true that at times they are rather obscure, but here precise names are given and a birth is spoken of that will take place in that city. Not recognizing these signs means closing our eyes and refusing to see. In the Gospel, the Lord repeatedly urges us to see the signs of the times and recognize them, as well as to believe in evident things. All that is needed is docility and simplicity of heart. That is why Jesus will also later say: «Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God» (Mt 5:8).

SECOND READING

From the Letter to the Hebrews (Heb 10:5-10)
Brothers and sisters, when Christ came into the world, he said: «Sacrifice and offering you desired not, but a body you prepared for me. In burnt offerings and sin offerings you took no pleasure. Then I said, “Behold, I have come – as it is written of me in the scroll of the book – to do your will, O God”». After saying, «Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings, you neither desired nor delighted in», things offered according to the Law, he then says, «Behold, I have come to do your will». Thus he abolishes the first sacrifice to establish the new one. By that will, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. – The word of God.

Commentary on the second reading

Twice in this passage from the Letter to the Hebrews, the word “body” is mentioned. This term is fundamental in Catholic doctrine: «This is my body», says the Lord, indicating the sacrament of the Eucharist. The sacrifices of the Old Testament cease because Jesus will make the true sacrifice with his body, handing it over to death on the cross so that the sin of humanity may be annulled and the gates of heaven opened. At every Mass, Jesus becomes present with his true body and offers himself to the Father to take away our sins. What adoration, respect, and reverence we therefore owe to that most holy body! It is not a symbol, because «my body is true food, and my blood is true drink» (cf. Jn 6:55). And how many martyrs of the Eucharist there have been throughout the history of the Church to defend this truth! Cardinal Van Thuan, in the Chinese communist prisons, managed to obtain a few crumbs of bread and a small bottle of wine and celebrated Holy Mass alone, in secret, reciting the formulas from memory. Then he kept the consecrated bread in a hidden little box and prayed in adoration at night.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Luke (Lk 1:39-45)
In those days Mary arose and went in haste into the hill country to a town of Judah. She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed in a loud voice: «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 as soon as 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.

Commentary on the Gospel of the day

Elizabeth is the first to learn that the child her cousin Mary carries in her womb is God. Indeed, without hesitation, she calls Mary «the mother of my Lord». Most holy Mary is full of grace from her conception, while Elizabeth is «filled with the Holy Spirit» for the occasion. And when two people who live in the Spirit of God meet, joy bursts forth: Elizabeth contemplates the mystery of God in Mary, and Mary rejoices in response. John, in his mother's womb, recognizes Jesus who is in that of the Virgin and rejoices in his own way. This scene is permeated with joy because, when the Holy Spirit is in pure hearts, pure gladness manifests itself. This is a great lesson for us, who live in a world immersed in problems (though it was so even in Mary's time): if we carry the Spirit of God within us, that is, if we are in a state of grace, and we meet one another as Christians, why do we remain cold, closed off, or suspicious? We too should be overwhelmed by pure spiritual joy. Let us then allow ourselves to be captivated by this passage, one of the most luminous in the Gospel. Today trials and sorrows are far away: there is only the consolation of purity and divine grace.