December 23, 2018 Sunday of the 4th Week in Advent-C

Micah 5:1-4

Psalm 80

Hebrews 10:5-10

Luke 1:39-45

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste… Lk. 1:39

Lord, when we have a truly extraordinary experience we want to share it with someone.  Mary couldn’t wait to be with Elizabeth and tell her how powerfully God was acting in her life.  As young Mary walked the 90 miles from Galilee to a town in Judea she had time to reflect on how she had been blessed with the child in her womb.  Elizabeth too experienced a miraculous blessing from God in her old age.   Even before birth, the future John the Baptist paid homage to you whom he would go before.  Elizabeth speaks words that one day will be included in our Hail Mary prayer:  “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”      No wonder John jumped for joy, the Son of God was near and that was truly worth leaping about.  Lord, may I leap for joy too as you come to me and my family.   Even before you were born, you began to give people cause for joy and gladness.   Dear Jesus, come and visit me so I can delight in your presence.  Amen.