Second Sunday of Advent: FAITH

This is the Second Sunday of Advent - the week of PEACE and FAITH. 

My readings today focus on how Mary points to Jesus in our Salvation story. 

When Mary was pregnant with Jesus, she went to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John - a miraculous pregnancy for this elderly woman. 

When Mary approached, John leapt within Elizabeth's womb - for John already recognized Him! 

Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit...

"And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord." - Luke 1:42-45

Mary herself was also filled with the Holy Spirit, and knew herself to also be a humble sinner in need of God's mercy:

"And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. 

He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. 

He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever." - Luke 1:46-55

I sometimes wonder how Mary felt - pregnant and unmarried, albeit betrothed to a good man who stood by her. 

But still, pregnant. 

And unmarried. 

And with what must have seemed a crazy, unbelievable story about how she came to be that way! 

And yet, she always humbly submitted to God's Will. 

I think about my own attempts at to force God to *my* will...to have things *my* way...

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