Homily for Tuesday December 21 2021
(Luke 1:39-45) Sixth Day of Simbang Gabi, December 21, 2021
In today’s First Reading we have a beautiful poem coming from a lover for the beloved. It tells the story of how the lover seeks, awaits, and longs for the beloved. It is romantic but also sincere and committed. It speaks of human loving and invitation to love. It is believed to be referring to God’s pursuit of humanity.
The description of the coming of summer, blooming of flowers, and the presence of birds singing, are fulfillments of what were hoped for. Order, peace, growth, and abundance had come. The Lord is coming and we, His people, should welcome Him with great anticipation!
“O my dove in the clefts of the rock.
in the secret recesses of the cliff.
Let me see you,
Let me hear your voice,
For your voice is sweet.
and you are lovely.!”
But the poem does not really give full appreciation of what God has done for us through His Son. He loves us so much that His only Son became one like us, suffered, and died for us. No other lover, no matter how great, can top that great act. God’s love is not only creative. It is also salvific.
There are a million ways God could have saved us. He chose the most loving, touching, moving, and compassionate way. The Incarnation was compassion at its highest. Only a robot or hardened heart would not be affected and moved by God’s action in Jesus Christ. God is the perfect lover.
The Gospel today is about the visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary with her Son Jesus in her womb to her cousin, Elizabeth, who has John in her own womb. Elizabeth was humbled and surprised by Mary’s visit. Elizabeth was already aware of the presence of Jesus in Mary’s womb. Thus, she exclaimed,
“How does this happen to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”
The Lover, Jesus, goes out of Himself, through Mary, to visit His aunt and cousin. Elizabeth and John, who leaped for joy due to the visit, were touched by Mary and Jesus’ gesture of concern and humility.
Mother and Son would proceed with their love for us by fulfilling the roles given to them by God. They were perfect examples God’s love for us. It is a love that beyond death and extends through eternal life.Indeed the greatest love of all!