Set Out in Haste

Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year C)

By Phil Russell

 

"Thus says The Lord: You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth FOR ME one who is to be ruler in Israel... He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock by the strength of The Lord...HE SHALL BE PEACE." Micah 5:1A,3-4A

"Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved." Psalm 80:4

When Christ came into the world, he said, “A body, you prepared for me...Then I said, ‘As it is written in the scroll, behold, I come to do your will.’” By this will, we have been consecrated through the BODY of JESUS CHRIST once for all. Hebrews 10:5C,7,10

Mary set out in haste and traveled to a town of Judah…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." Luke 1:39-41

Study

The imagery and the STUDY here in this Fourth Sunday of Advent are so incredibly rich and enriching!

First off, I love word studies!!! So starting in Micah with "Bethlehem-Ephrarhah" which translates to “House of Bread-Fruitful.” WOW!   There alone is something powerful to ponder. Jesus, the Bread of Life and Fruitful, on his Heavenly Father's behalf.  Born in this place, in a Manger.  That word comes from the French, meaning: “to chew." 

Piety 

Chew on that, or as Mary did, “Ponder.”  I sit in the richness of the meanings of these words, then the word Judah means, “Praise.” 

Chew on Jesus, Bread of Life, Fruitful to the PRAISE of His Father. This WILL spoken of in Hebrews, is Jesus laying down his life as SACRIFICE for me (for you).  WOW!  By this will I have been consecrated, through the offering of the BODY of JESUS CHRIST once for all. I have to declare: “AMEN!”

And all this to lead me to…

Action

Like Mary, we are called to "SET OUT," "TRAVEL TO," "ENTER IN," "GREET," "BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT," "CRY OUT."  "Leap for JOY" and "be FULFILLED." Pondering the rich fare that we a presented in these rich, rich readings. "WOW!”

One last image that we are given by Luke, the Artist:  John, represents the Old Covenant face to face with Jesus, the New Covenant.  Incredible Image!

So in these final days before we celebrate the Incarnation of our Savior; what can we bring to him?

SUGGESTIONS:

To our enemy -- forgiveness,

To our opponent -- tolerance,

To a friend -- our heart,

To a customer -- service,

To all people -- charity and MERCY (in this Year of)

To every child -- good example

To ourselves -- respect and

To God -- our Love!

So let's GO IN HASTE to the HOUSE OF BREAD, with our arms filled with these gifts, that we lay down at his feet.  In PRAISE!  

DE COLORES..... ULTREYA!