Make Haste
Fourth Sunday of Advent (C)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 1:39-45 Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
We are told that Mary travels “in haste” to visit Elizabeth. We probably aren’t expected to think that she walked very quickly or rode a fast donkey from her home in Nazareth down to the hill country of Judea. No, instead we should understand it that she responded immediately to what the angel Gabriel had told her. He had just said to her, “And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary believes the things that God says, even if she doesn’t fully understand them, even if they seem unlikely, even if they seem impossible unless God makes them happen by a miracle. And not only does she believe, but she acts on her belief, immediately.
When Elizabeth greets Mary, Elizabeth exclaims for the first time a portion of the words of the Hail Mary, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” But she also exclaims another blessing that Mary possesses more than anyone else, “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” It really did seem very unlikely, even impossible, that God would take on flesh and become man. Who would have believed it? At a time, at first, only Mary, and Joseph, and Elizabeth did. And it’s no coincidence that at that time, at first, they were the only ones who had receive Him. Belief… we must believe. It is the way to receive the Lord, and the miraculous fulfillment of all that He has spoken.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
Like Pier? Share it with others (via links below) / Subscribe to it (below) / Support (the mission)
