Monday 21 December 2020 - Come, Emmanuel, our Legislator and our King! Save us, Lord our God. - Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 1, 39-45.

"Mary set out on her journey", she leaves her place and goes to another place where her sister Elizabeth is. Christmas is approaching, in a few days we must act like Mary: set out on our journey; are we really on our way, on our spiritual journey, or are we still sealed, fixed, stuck where we were? Could it be that our Advent has not yet begun? We must move, because that is how we know we are alive. It is not enough to gesticulate, however, but we must act, that is, we must begin to move to a better state than before because the Messiah is on his way. Even He, the only Son of God has left His "home" and has come down to earth for our salvation. What great humility! Wouldn't we do this to receive him?

Let us continue with the Gospel: Mary "went eagerly" to her sister's house. Jesus was already with her, in her womb. When it comes to God, are we eager or nonchalant, finding distractions here and there? This can happen to us when we go to church, when we participate in parish activities... What often happens when it is about God, we lack zeal and enthusiasm!

Moreover, what happens between Mary and Elizabeth is a sharing of joy; but when we are together, what do we talk about? Is it gossip, or is it a truth found at the bottom of a glass? Are we talking about a palaver without head or tail to pass the time? Haggling between business partners? With Christmas fast approaching, let's talk instead about the coming of the Messiah, not only about the clothing and culinary preparations, but essentially about the mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God among us. Are we well prepared? Mary and Elizabeth have already shown us how to receive the Messiah with dignity. Amen!