Embracing Love: Lessons from the Visitation

Dec 21, 2024

4th Sunday of Advent (C)
Readings: Micah 5:1-4;
Hebrews 10:5-10;
Gospel: Luke 1:39-45

As we approach the end of the Advent season, it feels as though we’ve just begun our journey. Yet, here we are, lighting the final candle and entering into the fourth Sunday of Advent, which brings us to the beautiful event of the Visitation, as narrated in the Gospel of St Luke.

This event is rich in teaching values that inspire us in both our faith and our actions. The two central figures of today’s story — our Blessed Mother Mary and Elizabeth — serve as models for shaping our own discipleship. Through their actions, we are called to live out the virtues of faith, hope, and charity.

In the Visitation, Mary exemplifies these theological virtues. Upon receiving God’s Word through the Archangel Gabriel, she did not hesitate. As the Gospel tells us, she “set out and went as quickly as she could.” Mary immediately identified the need to visit Elizabeth, understanding the great encouragement and blessing her presence would bring. This serves as a powerful reminder for us to recognise those around us who may need our presence and support.

Reflecting on this, I recall my pastoral experience at the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Peel Road, in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The movement control orders severely limited physical meetings and activities, making outreach challenging. Despite this, we did our best to stay connected with the community through the use of technology. We realised that, like Mary, we had to reach out to those in need, even if it was through virtual means. Just as Mary’s visit affirmed Elizabeth’s faith and hope, our own efforts to connect, no matter how small, can have a profound impact on others. It’s a call for us to recognize that even the simplest human engagement can make a difference. We are all called to be agents of God’s love, as Mary was.

While we reflect on Mary’s actions, we also turn to Elizabeth, who, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognised the presence of God in her midst. This is another important lesson for us: it’s not just about reaching out to those in need, but also recognising God’s love and presence in those we serve. This is the essence of Christian charity — not simply performing good deeds, but also bringing Christ to others and recognising Christ in them. This is how we fulfil the command to “bring people to Christ and bring Christ to the people.” Without this, our charity can risk becoming just another form of social service, disconnected from the deeper mission of spreading the Good News.

On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we focus on the theme of Love. Throughout the previous weeks, we have reflected on peace, hope, and joy. But love is the culmination of all these virtues. Love is the very essence of our faith and the heart of the Gospel. As followers of Christ, we are called to be promoters of God’s love. This is not always easy, but with God’s grace, it is not impossible. When we open ourselves to His grace, transformation happens — not just in ourselves, but also in those we encounter.

As we prepare for the birth of our Saviour, let us not only ready our homes and churches to celebrate His coming, but also prepare our hearts to welcome Him anew. The birth of Christ, the King of peace, hope, joy, and love, is not just a historical event, but a continual invitation to experience His reign in our lives. Let us look forward to His glorious second coming with hearts full of love, prepared to share that love with others.

May we all be blessed to experience the presence of Christ’s reign in every aspect of our lives, now and always. Amen.