3rd Week of Advent
22nd December 2023 (Friday) Readings and Reflection
Psalter: Week 3
Reading of the Day
First Reading: 1 Samuel 1:24-28
In those days: Hannah took Samuel up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. And the child was young. Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli. And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.” And he worshipped the Lord there
1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd (R. see 1a)
R/. My heart exults in the Lord, my Saviour.
Alleluia
V/. Alleluia R/. Alleluia
V/. O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!
R/. Alleluia
Gospel : Luke 1:46-56
At that time: Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Highlight: Burst into Joy!
Guidlines: When God intervenes and graces human situations, even the most deplorable and hopeless situations will turn into fruit-bearing and blessed experiences{alertSuccess}
1. All of us come across situations of success and praise. We achieve heights of greatness and bundles of laurels. In such situations, most of us fall into bouts of vanity, presumption, self-glory, and pride. But Mary was different and a contrast. She was singularly graced to be the mother of the saviour. She was recognized for this greatness by Elizabeth and was highly praised.
2. But Mary’s reaction and attitude were something remarkable. The more she was raised and praised, the more she became humble and Spirit-filled resulting in heavenly joy. The Magnificat, her song of praise is a concrete manifestation and testimony of this. There is no pride or seeking self-glory. She does not go around trumpeting her greatest dignity.
3. However, she does not also deny the greatness of the grace she is conferred with. This can be a case of false humility which some people fall into. Some in the name of practising humility deny all the good that pertains to them. It is in a way denying God’s own goodness and greatness.
4. Mary shows us what is true greatness and humility. She attributes all her greatness to God’s goodness. Thus, all her greatness is actually not her own but belongs totally to God. Therefore, there is nothing to take credit for or to feel great. That is why, amidst all her new honour and glory, she remains humble.
5. The Magnificat is then not a song that sings her praises. It is deeply a song of God’s mercy and justice, His fidelity, and commitment. In mercy, He is benevolent to those who fear Him. He blesses and rewards the humble and does great things for them.
6. In justice, he balances between the humble and arrogant: he gives strength to the humble but scatters the proud-hearted. He casts down the mighty from their thrones but raises the lowly. He fills the starving with good things but sends the rich away empty. In fidelity to His promises and covenants, He continues to assist His chosen people.
Practice: When God is with us, then there is no need to be sad. He never forsakes those who confide in Him and entrust themselves to Him. In everyone’s life, there is plenty to sing magnificats{alertSuccess}