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Reflection for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

by Margaret Treacy, RSHMCategory: Updates

Glorious Season of Hope

How lucky we are this year to have four full weeks of Advent.  That means more time for us to wait in joyful hope and expectation for the special coming of Jesus at Christmas time.

advent wreath with pinecones and red ribbon. All four red candles are lit

As the gospel points out today, Mary and Elizabeth, both pregnant under strange circumstances, are our examples of hope and expectation as they await the coming of their unique and special children.  Both were seemingly in impossible situations yet they believed that what was impossible in the human realm was possible with the Divine.  We contemplate how their minds, hearts and bodies were stretched for greater glory to accommodate their new understanding of God’s magnificent plan for them and through them for all generations to come. What an example of support and community Mary and Elizabeth were for each other and for us as we realize the older Elizabeth and the younger Mary work so beautifully together to bring about God’s Kingdom here on earth

This last week of Advent is then truly a time of hopeful expectation as we realize that the Lord is near.  We also have the opportunity of reflecting on our whole lives as being one glorious season of hope, expectation and waiting for the last Advent of our lives, for that time when there will be a new heaven and a new earth.

“Listen, I am standing at the door knocking/waiting.  If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come into you and eat with you, and you with Me.” (Rev. 3:20)

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