THOUGHTS FOR THIS WEEK

Readings

Micah 5.2-5a: Though Bethlehem is insignificant in Judah, a ruler will come from this town, whose origins are ancient, and who will shepherd God’s people in God’s strength, giving them peace and security.

A Song of Mary (Luke 1:47-55): Mary celebrates God the Saviour because God has honoured her, even though she is lowly. God shows mercy to all who honour God, scattering the proud and arrogant, sending the rich away empty-handed, but raising up the lowly, and filling the hungry with good things.

Hebrews 10.5-10: Jesus’ obedience and sacrifice establishes a new covenant and makes us holy.

Luke 1.39-45: Unborn John leaps in Elizabeth’s womb when the pregnant Mary comes to visit. In response Elizabeth celebrates Mary and the way God has blessed her, even as the child she carries is blessed. Then, Mary responds with her song of praise (as described above).

Rev Tania writes:

The last week of Advent returns us to the beginning of John’s story, as Mary, pregnant with Jesus, visits Elizabeth, and John leaps within his mother’s womb. Mary’s song is, of course, one of the highlights of the birth narratives, and carries a powerful justice-proclaiming message. In the waiting of Advent, it can be tempting to become passive observers of God’s activity, but the Scriptures call us instead to be active participants in God’s saving and restoring work.

This 4th Sunday in Advent, we’re reminded that God’s saving and restoring work requires us to be active participants. It’s easy to think of salvation as something God does for us while we just sit back and receive. But the Gospel shows us that God isn’t a superhero who swoops in to save us while we watch in awe. In the reading from Micah, a shepherd is promised for God’s people. This is God’s work, but the shepherd comes from a small, insignificant town, meaning the people need to respond to his work. In the Psalm, God is asked to save His people, but it’s clear that the people need to return to God. In Hebrews, Jesus is shown as the one who obeys and sacrifices to save us, but this is within the context of a covenant that requires our response to become holy. Finally, in the Gospel, Mary’s visit to Elizabeth shows God’s initiative in the births of John and Jesus, but both mothers are active participants in this process. Mary’s song reveals that God’s justice happens as it takes hold of people’s lives.

The challenge this week is to recognise God’s work without becoming passive spectators. We are called to be active participants in God’s saving work, starting with our own lives by responding in faith and repentance to Christ’s sacrifice. Once we allow God’s reign to be conceived in us, like Mary, we become participants in the process of salvation, working through our attitudes and actions to bring salvation and justice to others. God’s reign comes to us and then through us to others. Christ sacrifices himself for us, and we, in turn, sacrifice ourselves for others. God is born within us, and we become midwives, helping to bring God’s presence into the world.

Rev Tania