Reflection for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B

 

BE THE LORD’S HANDMAID

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

Readings: 2 Samuel 7:1-5.8b-12.14a.16, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38

 

Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent and the gospel reading of this Sunday narrates the announcement of the Incarnation by the angel Gabriel to Mary (Luke 1:26-38). The annunciation celebrates two basic realities: God’s action in entering the human world as Jesus in order to save humanity and the humanity's willing acceptance of God's action in Mary's freely given acceptance of the task of being the Mother of God. Our reflection will be focused on this second significance of the annunciation. That is, on how Mary received the news that she was to be the mother of the savior.

The Annunciation is Mary’s experience of a divine call to a special mission in our salvation’s history. The message of the angel was a difficult one. Since Mary was a virgin, she could not understand how she could mother a son. However, when the angel explained the processes to her, Mary gave her ‘unconditional’ fiat (Luke 1:38). Mary uttered this fiat in faith. In faith, she entrusted herself to God without reserve and devoted herself totally as the handmaid of the Lord to the person and work of her Son. Her consent came from true humility- the same kind of humility that her Son would have in consenting to the crucifixion. Such willingness divests us of all desire for self-comfort and personal gain. It is a total giving of self, an altruism that comes from knowing that God’s goodness is far greater than our own best efforts.

Like Mary, most often, we too receive news or are given tasks or missions so difficult and discomforting that our spirit becomes troubled. In those moments of utter confusion, like Mary, we are to entrust ourselves completely to God and in obedience of faith, submit to him our will and intellect. In those moments, let us hear and heed the words of the angel urging us not to be afraid (Luke 1:30). Like Mary, each one of us is God’s instruments for his mission on earth. God has plans for each one of us and he is always revealing his plans to us in different ways. He visits us always but most often, we are not at home. God speaks to us always but in most cases, the noise within us prevents us from hearing his voice. Even when we manage to hear the voice of the Lord, the external forces around us do not allow us carry out his commands. In situations like this, let us remember that a good handmaid listens attentively and obeys freely.

Dear friend, how often do we allow God speak to us and how disposed are we to listen to him? Through her obedience to the word of God, Mary allowed herself to be the channel through which the saving mercy of God could reach the fallen humanity. In this season, we should also imitate Mary in being channels of God’s healing, love, justice, favor, blessings and forgiveness to other people. You are probably an answer to somebody’s prayer. You may be the helper to that family that has been asking God to bless them with their basic needs. You may be the helper that the homeless man around you has been waiting for. Like Mary, you too can be a handmaid by making yourself available, surrendering your will to God and allowing Him use you for his mission.