The Joy of Giving Life: Reflection by Monsignor Enrique Díaz

IV Sunday of Advent

Pexels

Monsignor Enrique Díaz Díaz shares with Exaudi readers his reflection on the Gospel of this Sunday, December 22, 2024, entitled: “The Joy of Giving Life”

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Micah 5, 1-4: “From you will come the leader of Israel”

Psalm 79: “Lord, show us your favor, and save us”

Hebrews 10, 5-10: “Here I am, my God, to do your will”

St. Luke 1, 39-45: “Blessed are you who have believed”


What is in the heart of a mother during pregnancy? What is in the heart of Mary? With only a few days left before Christmas, St. Luke presents us with this tender and symbolic scene of two pregnant women: an old woman who carries in her womb all the hope of a life marked by sterility and who has now blossomed; and a young girl who is still in shock at the news of learning that she is a mother from El Salvador. Although the story is very short, it is full of enthusiasm, blessings, haste and greetings. The two women, according to St. Luke’s account, already had veiled knowledge that the fruits of their wombs would have an important mission, but one full of pain and suffering. However, the life that is beginning in their wombs transforms them and fills them with strength. Elizabeth does not fear the dangers that a pregnancy in old age entails. Mary does not fear the difficulties she will face in her first and only birth. How these two simple women teach us the true value of life! They are willing to defend life despite the serious problems it will bring them. It would be the first and greatest lesson: to defend life. To defend the life that begins silently and quietly in the womb of a mother, but also the life that agonizes in the oblivion and pain of an elderly person. To always and on every occasion defend life. To protect it, to care for it, to make it flourish. This is the destiny of the true believer.

When one carries life within, one is in a hurry to transmit it to those who need it most. Elizabeth, her relative, needs help and support like every woman who is about to give birth. Mary’s visit is not one of courtesy or for her own rest. It is about bringing life, good news and service. When we have Christ in our hearts, it is not possible to hide him. We need to make him known to others and the best way to do so is in the style of Mary: bringing Good News, transmitting life and serving. Mary thus shows her greatness as a woman and a believer. It is the dignity of a woman who feels happy with herself and who is fulfilling the vocation to which she has been called. A woman and disciple who understands that true joy is giving and sharing. Sometimes life seems stupid, useless for us and for others. We close ourselves off in order to defend ourselves, to be sure of our things and of those we love. But the true disciple knows how to set out, to abandon his certainties, and to offer himself in service to others. Then we find the true freedom that saves, that makes us grow, that serves and strengthens our brothers. Messianic joy, proper to Christmas, must be transformed, as in the case of Mary, into service and fraternal availability. We must “visit” others.

The leaps of the Baptist in the womb of Elizabeth manifest the true joy of meeting Jesus. The long-awaited Messiah is now close to his mother and makes little John already rejoice and enjoy his presence. Two great prophets who are still in the womb of their mothers already show signs of true happiness and true salvation. The last of the prophets rejoices and leaps for joy, although in his life he will suffer the demands that all love and all gifts have. Jesus, the prophet par excellence, has come to give us his joy, to teach us that even in pain, accepted and lived out of love and with love, joy can be born. He stands at the beginning and at the end of our journey as the true and perfect joy, which no one can take away from us. These are the last days of Advent, and we need to pause in silence to grasp this presence of Christ. It is an invitation to understand that the events of each day are gestures that God directs to us, signs of his attention for each one of us. If we feel his presence, we will give meaning to our life, and then we will also be able to “jump for joy.” If not, all our jumping, our shouting and our turning will have no meaning.

Among the blessings that Elizabeth pronounces in favor of Mary, she highlights the praise for her faith: “Blessed are you who have believed.” It was not easy to believe in those times. The economic and political situation, the religious problems, led to a weak faith and perhaps more so in the circumstances that Mary lived. However, she accepted the Lord’s proposal and trusted fully in the hands of the Lord. Like Mary, humble people who have experienced the love of God are those who have the capacity to give Him all the credit and to let themselves be led even in darkness and silence. The trials and difficulties that make up our existence do not destroy the strength and courage of the believer, because God is faithful in his promise of salvation for those he loves. The mystery of the Incarnation, that we are about to celebrate and are waiting for, is a strong call to increase our faith and a confirmation of God’s love for humanity.

In these last days of preparation for Christmas, we are left with several questions: are we capable of going out to meet others to serve them, bring them joy and bring them life? Are we living these days of Christmas in a true joy that translates into commitment, love and encounter with our brothers and sisters? What does Jesus expect from you this Christmas?

“Pour out, Lord, your grace upon us, who have known through the announcement of the Angel, the Incarnation of your Son, so that we may arrive, through his Passion and his Cross, at the Glory of the Resurrection.” Amen.