Homily for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Advent
Theme: Blessed Among Women.
By: Fr. Gerald M. Musa
Homily for Tuesday December 21 2021
When Elizabeth saw her younger cousin Mary, she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Luke 1:42). This is a rare greeting. In scriptures, we find similar greetings addressed to two other women, Jael and Judith, who were also called Blessed. Jael was called blessed because she killed the Canaanite General Sisera to deliver Israel from the oppression of the King of Canaan, Jabin (Judges 5:24-26); Judith was declared a blessed woman by Uzziah because she killed the Assyrian General Holofernes and for delivering Israel from the oppression of the Assyrians (Judith 13:18). The Blessedness of Mary comes with many distinctions. She is called blessed not for killing or shedding blood, but because of her faith and obedience to God. She crushed the head of the Serpent (Genesis 3:15) by cooperating with God and accepting to be the mother of the Saviour of the world. Furthermore, she is blessed because of her faith. “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her” (Luke 1:45). Besides, all generations call her blessed because she was highly favoured by God (Luke 1:48). At Christmas, we celebrate a blessed Son who came through a blessed Mother. The story of Mary shows how God blesses and exalts humble people. As we prepare for Christmas, can we take time to reflect deeply on the humility and virtues of this distinctively Blessed woman?
Luke 1:39 – 4 5; Tuesday, 4 th Week of Advent