Homily for the 4th Sunday of Advent Year C

Theme: “OF ALL WOMEN, YOU ARE THE MOST BLESSED”

By: Fr. Cajetan Anyanwu

Homily for Sunday December 19 2021

This is the 4th Sunday of Advent. Christmas Day is fast approaching. Our preparations should be intensified this week which could be designated as the “rush hour.” Even our Mother Mary herself, went in a haste to visit Elizabeth who conceived in her old age. Her quick response to the message of an angel teaches us how to respond promptly to the word of God. On the other hand, the prophet Micha praises Bethlehem-Ephrathah which was the smallest clan of Judah. For out of her shall come forth the one who is to be ruler in Israel (Mi. 5:1-4). For this reason, we are filled with high expectations as we await the coming of our King. Everyone is expected to be calm, joyful and peaceful.

As we await the coming of the King, we have no time to waste in quarreling and troublemaking. We must be steadfast and focused on the word of God. It is not the time to increase the prices of essential commodities. It is a time of spiritual renewal. A time set aside for the Lord to enter and be born anew in our hearts. We should raise our voices and shout, “Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved” (Ps. 80:2-3ff). Therefore, the letter to the Hebrews assures us that; “we have been consecrated through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all” (Heb. 10:5-10). This teaches us that we are very precious to God who gave away his son in order to save us.

In Christ Jesus, salvation has come to us through the “YES” of our Mother Mary to the plan of God. She is “Blessed among women and Blessed is the fruit of her womb, Jesus” (Lk. 1:39-45). The blessedness of Mary is so powerful that the Holy Spirit follows her wherever she goes. The moment her greetings entered the ears of Elizabeth, the infant in her womb leaped for joy. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth raised her voice and exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women and Blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” May the same joy fill our hearts as we await the Lord’s coming, amen. Happy Sunday.

Fr. Cajetan Anyanwu