I AM COMING TO DO YOUR WILL

IV SUNDAY OF ADVENT - Luke 1:39-45

On this last Sunday of Advent, we are called to look at Mary and learn from her. Informed by the Angel that Elizabeth, her relative, was expecting the birth of a son, she wasted no time “and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah” to rejoice with Elizabeth. Together, they celebrated motherhood as a gift from God. They recognised God’s blessings and thanked him because he looked upon the lowliness of his servants and called them to great things. They shared the good news and the readiness to be at the service of the Lord. “Filled with the Holy Spirit”, Elizabeth was touched by Mary’s blessedness. Being full of grace, Mary is “the most blessed” of all women. She is the mother of the Lord. However, her biological motherhood is not the reason for her blessedness. She is blessed because she believed that the Promise of the Lord will be fulfilled. Like Elizabeth, we must recognise Mary as the Mother of the Lord. She is the most blessed because she is full of grace. With Mary, guided by faith and strengthened by hope, we must learn to put ourselves totally at the service of the Lord.

In her readiness to serve and willingness to obey, Mary shares the same attitude of her son, Jesus, the Son of the living God. The letter to the Hebrews presents the reason for the incarnation: “Here I am! I am coming to obey your will”. The sacrifices offered in the temple were meaningless and a waste of time. They were not the fruit of faith and the proof of obedience. Indeed, they were deceptive, producing a false sense of holiness. The only thing that pleases God is the willingness to listen to his word and obey his commands.

We are called to have Mary as our role model: “I am the handmaid of the Lord: let what you have said be done to me.”