FROM YOU SHALL COME FORTH ONE WHO IS TO BE RULER IN ISRAEL
⏰FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT (YEAR C)
📖Mic 5:1-4a;Ps 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16a, 18-19 (R.v.4); Heb 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45
🎤“FROM YOU SHALL COME FORTH ONE WHO IS TO BE RULER IN ISRAEL”
My dear, God is coming to visit you today in that your very challenging situation. He is about to lift you up to greater heights; such heights unimaginable that you would ever reach. He is coming to change you story line for the better. Are you ready to receive him??
We are already in the fourth week of our preparation for Christmas. By now, it is expected that we would have already leveled all the mountains and covered all the valleys and repaired all the rugged roads in our lives (cf. Luke 3:5-6) by coming closer to God and purging ourselves of all evil inclinations. The Second Reading reminds us that it is not in our possessions that we make adequate preparation but with a contrite heart.?
Sometimes, we are even pushed into such evil inclinations in our bid to meet up with the demands of the season. We often feel that we are failures when we are not like others or do not measure up to their standards. In such situations, remember that Bethlehem was counted as the least of the tribes in Israel, but from there came the messiah (cf. Mic 5:1).??
Your own case shall not be different. God is going to lift up so that your mouth shall be filled with testimonies. Amen.??
Note the significance of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, in the Gospel, to that promise. As soon as Mary received the good news, Jesus, in her womb, she went with haste to share him with her cousin Elizabeth. In us, God is possessing a body. We must allow him to use us to carry this good news to all on earth.???
Again, that good news can only be well received by those who dispose themselves well to receive Christ. Yet, we cannot achieve that perfect disposition all by ourselves. Let us therefore pray with the psalmist today, O God, bring us back; let your face shine on us, and we shall be saved (Ps 80:4). Amen??
Enjoy a favourable Sunday and a beautiful Christmas celebration in advance. It is well with you.??
