Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent

Readings of the Day 

Mary had just arrived and greeted her cousin Elizabeth. Scripture says, “(T)he babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” Elizabeth then blesses Mary and affirms Mary’s faith and her witness to it. 

Mary’s response to Elizabeth and to her Lord are words so familiar to us and yet words that might offer us pause today to consider them anew. This Magnificat, prayed as part of Evening Prayer, perhaps just rolls off the tongue with not much “heart sense.” 

Mary was a poor teenager, betrothed and pregnant, and yet she had the courage to proclaim her savior and praise the Lord!  Her relationship with God is so evident as she reminds us of who God has been and is.  I suspect that most of us don’t spend our days pondering these words as we interact with clients and answer phones and move things and do paperwork.  I wonder, though: Are they “in us” such that our actions and motivations mirror Mary’s words?

• The Almighty has done great things for me -  and is doing!

• Holy is God’s name!

• God has shown mercy on those who fear God in every generation - including ours!

• God has shown strength and scattered the proud - every day!

• God has cast down the mighty and lifted up the lowly – in our sight!

• God has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty – in so many ways!

• God has come to help and remembered mercy forever – faithfully!

This is our call in Catholic Charities and in service and parish ministry! 

As these we make our way through these final days before Christmas, may we recognize God at work -in and through us- blessing our neighbors, encouraging our clients, and celebrating our coworkers.

Sr. Betsy Van Deusen is a Sister of Saint Joseph of Carondelet who serves as the Director of Community Partnerships for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany.  She also serves on the Catholic Charities USA Parish Social Ministry Leadership Team. 

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