Sunday, December 19th
Scripture
Micah 5: 1-4
Ps 80: 2-3, 15-16, 18-19
Heb 10: 5-10
Lk 1: 39-45
Reflection
“Alice laughed. There’s no use trying,” she said: “One can’t believe impossible things.” “I daresay you haven’t much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” (Lewis Carroll)
I love today’s Gospel cameo of two pregnant women blessed by a God who has done the impossible. A young girl, impossibly pregnant “through the power of the Holy Spirit,” hastens to visit her ancient cousin who is now in her sixth month. Mary needs support from someone who, like her, has experienced the impossible. And she is not disappointed. The same Holy Spirit who quieted her initial fear speaks once more, this time through Elizabeth: “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
Prayer
Dear Holy Spirit, show us where our belief in the God of the impossible must grow. Teach us how to believe in seemingly impossible things such as your longed-for reign of justice, peace, and the healing of creation. Open our lips to proclaim our blessing of belief to those who hunger for it. Open our hearts to receive the blessing given to us through those who love you.
Personal Challenge
Today, I open my inner self to hear God’s word.
Today, I rest in faith that God’s word in me will be fulfilled.
Sister Christine Schenk, CSJ
Cleveland, OH
