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Olivia M. Bannan

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 21, 2022 YEAR A

?


A reading of the holy Gospel according to LK 1:39-45


Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most 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? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”


The Gospel of the Lord


REFLECTION

For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.


Mary travelled 80 miles to be with her cousin, Elizabeth, who was 6 months pregnant. Mary was related to Elizabeth and one can end the story by emphasizing the importance of caring for friends, relatives and even strangers.


For at the moment the sound of Mary's greeting reached Elizabeth's ears, the infant in her womb leaped for joy.


John the Baptist immediately perceived the presence of Jesus and Elizabeth was overjoyed as she realized that Mary had brought Jesus to Elizabeth and her baby in the womb. Something more was happening than the sacrifice one makes to help others, family members or patients. Mary literally brought Jesus to the home of Zechariah, to the lives of Elizabeth and John the Baptist.


Are we not meant to do the same: to carry Jesus with deep love within us and then to bring Him to others? Just this week, PAPA, with the love of Jesus in our hearts, brought Jesus to families that needed assistance through the Missionaries of Charity. The donations and the physical help was readily given.


There is a place in Richmond, Texas called Nery's Promise, where one person's love for Jesus is given to others. Nery made a promise to God that if He spared her life as she made the treacherous journey from tyranny and the elements to America, she would spend the rest of her life serving the loving and merciful God. Countless of children and families are transformed through the love of Jesus shown through Nery and her staff.


Loaves and Fishes, Breaking Bread Homeless Ministries, Catholic Charities and San Jose Clinic are some of the Houston area Catholic Charities where volunteers work long hours, caring for and ministering the poor and the homeless. They work tirelessly and their love for Jesus is shown how they treat the people and how much joy there is when encountering them.


When was the last time you brought Christ to others? Could you see a change in yourself or the ones you ministered to? Can others see Jesus living in you with joy? Our deepest love should be bringing Jesus to others. May that be our New Year's Resolution--think less of ourselves and let others see Jesus in us.


"O" Antiphon

December 21, 2022


O Oriens (O Rising Sun) Isaiah 9:1

O Radiant Dawn,

splendor of eternal light,

sun of justice:

come and shine on those who dwell in darkness

and in the

shadow of death.


God Bless You







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