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Saturday of the Third Week of Advent

Readings of the Day
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Today's gospel (Luke 1:39-45) shows John the Baptist as a
"Herald of Jesus." As an infant in his mother's womb John
recognized Jesus, and in a very real way he is among the first
evangelists of Jesus. Artwork
throughout Christian history tries to capture this moment. We are told
that
Mary "in haste" makes her way to Elizabeth. No doubt she
is excited and
enthusiastic to celebrate with Elizabeth, since to be barren in those
times was
believed to be a punishment from God. For John's part, he
"leaps" in Elizabeth's
womb when Jesus and Mary arrive. 

Today, images of the scene are spreading across social media
with the caption, "The first person to recognize Jesus was an
unborn child." The gospel account indeed witnesses to when life really
begins and is perhaps the
clearest and most profound scriptural response we have to offer our
culture on
the dignity of the unborn. In fact, the scene is profound in many
ways: infant
John recognizes infant Jesus, man recognizes God, and all this without
cell
phones, ultrasounds, or technology. They did, however, have an
archangel!

The Church calls us to prepare for Christ's coming and be
"prepared always."  Advent encourages us to be ready for
"wonder and awe." While there are many devotions available
during Advent, quieting ourselves and
making ourselves available to God's love while reflecting on
today's gospel
scene may help "well up in our hearts" what the Church
envisions.

As we draw our attention to Christmas, let us celebrate in
advance - -like Mary and Elizabeth did - - at the wonder of God
becoming man.
Emanuel, God with us: wonder and awe indeed!

 

Deacon Brian Selsor is Director of Mission Integration at
Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Missouri. He was
ordained
a deacon in June of 2007, holds a Master's in Theology from
Aquinas Institute
of Theology and a certificate in Catholic Social Teaching from the
Pontifical
Academy Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice, Catholic University of
America,
Washington D.C. 

 

 

 




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