“And how is it to me that the mother of my Lord comes to me?” – Luke 1:39-45
Through today’s Gospel, we see Elizabeth discovering Mary as the mother of the Lord. Elizabeth recognizes this dignity of Mary through a very ordinary action: Mary’s visit to her. Like Elizabeth, we Xaverian Brothers, are heirs to a tradition in which God calls us and invites us to seek His face in ordinary things of life: a welcome, a smile, a glass of water, a word of encouragement, respect for each person, a service rendered discreetly. Mary is presented today as a person who appears to help others.
In today’s world, there are many expectations that are not fully realized. Or they turned out not as we intended. That’s why our world still needs a Savior. We need something new: a new life, a new type of human life. Dalai Lama once said that a true religion is the one that makes me more sensitive and makes me a better, more compassionate, more detached, more loving, more human, more responsible person. The cries and laments of those around us are demands for answers, support and help.
The current situation and context of misery in the world invites us to help each other to live in serenity by bringing hope to those who experience sadness, fear, anger, indignation, revolt and by re-energizing those people hampered by the difficulties of life.
Like Mary, today’s gospel exhorts us to gaze with love, compassion and sympathy on our fellow men.
O Virgin, Holy Mother of God, come to the aid of your people who wish to rise up. The current moment is yours. Come to our aid and be a refuge and hope for all of us. Amen.
(John Paul ll prayer)
Brother Vincent Ilunga, C.F.X.
To view the full Advent 2021 booklet in English, click here.
For Spanish, click here.
For French, click here.