Gospel Reflection for the 4th. Sunday of Advent

December 24th. – Hail Mary, full of grace….

Our Advent journey reaches a climax with Mary’s Story and Mary’s “Yes”. Through her hearing and accepting God’s word and message for her, the long awaited promise made to David and to each of us will be fulfilled.

Our God is not distance or silent. God is very close to us. God’s dwelling place is humanity. God will take his place among us through Mary. God’s temple is Mary. Filled with the Holy Spirit and open to God’s will for her, Mary becomes God’s dwelling place. Through her faith, her courage and her Yes, God will becomes flesh and lives amongst. In the face, voices and actions of Jesus we experience God. God has no need for temples, God dwelling place is the human heart.

Like Mary, we too are temples of God, Do you not realise that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God is living in you; and God’s temple is holy and you are that temple. (1 Cor. 16)

Like Mary, through our baptism we are filled with the same Holy Spirit. As we live out our faith through our ordinary daily lives, God becomes real in and for the world today. All God asks is that we follow Mary’s example and say “YES”. Through our YES today in our families. Our homes, in our community and with our friends we can build the Kingdom of God and make God’s love real and visible. 

In our first reading today we read that the temple that David wanted to build God would not last forever. The true temple of God is our heart. God’s love and life have been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Rmns 5.5), God has both anointed us and marked us with his seal and giving us the Spirit in our hearts. (2 Cor. 1.22).

Mary was not asked to do what she asked by herself or rely on her own efforts. And neither are we. God’s gives us the strength and courage to follow Mary’s example. Just as Mary heard and listened to God’s words for her, we too are asked to open our hearts and lives to God. Through our own daily lives may we say YES to God as Mary did, so that God will become flesh and live among us this Christmas.

Just as God called and chose Mary, God calls and chooses each of us today.  Mary gave life to Jesus and shares him with the world. We too are called and asked to follow her faithful example. Through our own daily lives, through what we say and do, may we bring Jesus in to our world today.

• Michael Moore OMI