December 22, 2021

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent

Lectionary: 198

Reading I

1 Sm 1:24-28

In those days,
Hannah brought Samuel with her,
along with a three-year-old bull,
an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine,
and presented him at the temple of the LORD in Shiloh. 
After the boy’s father had sacrificed the young bull,
Hannah, his mother, approached Eli and said:
“Pardon, my lord!
As you live, my lord,
I am the woman who stood near you here, praying to the LORD. 
I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request. 
Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD;
as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD.”
She left Samuel there.

Responsorial Psalm

1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd

1. (see 1a) My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
   “My heart exults in the LORD,
       my horn is exalted in my God.
   I have swallowed up my enemies;
       I rejoice in my victory.”
   R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
   “The bows of the mighty are broken,
       while the tottering gird on strength.
   The well-fed hire themselves out for bread,
       while the hungry batten on spoil.
   The barren wife bears seven sons,
       while the mother of many languishes.”
   R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
   “The LORD puts to death and gives life;
       he casts down to the nether world;
       he raises up again.
   The LORD makes poor and makes rich,
       he humbles, he also exalts.”
   R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
   “He raises the needy from the dust;
       from the dung heap he lifts up the poor,
   To seat them with nobles
       and make a glorious throne their heritage.”
   R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.

Alleluia

1. Alleluia, alleluia.
   O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:
   come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!
   R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Lk 1:46-56

Mary said:

    “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
        my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
        for he has looked upon his lowly servant.
    From this day all generations will call me blessed:
        the Almighty has done great things for me,
        and holy is his Name.
        He has mercy on those who fear him
        in every generation.
    He has shown the strength of his arm,
        and has scattered the proud in their conceit.
    He has cast down the mighty from their thrones
        and has lifted up the lowly.
    He has filled the hungry with good things,
        and the rich he has sent away empty.
    He has come to the help of his servant Israel
        for he remembered his promise of mercy,
        the promise he made to our fathers,
        to Abraham and his children for ever.”

Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months
and then returned to her home.

Reflection: SINGING THE PRAISES OF GOD

The Magnificat radiates and communicates all the feelings of amazement, joy and gratitude of Mary that swell up, overflow, and permeate her entire inner being from the moment of the annunciation up to her encounter with her cousin Elizabeth. The Magnificat has three distinct sections. The first expresses the joy and gratitude of Mary; the second mentions what God has done in her life; and the third depicts the new world order where the rich and powerful are brought down from their thrones and the lowly are lifted up. Elizabeth joins Mary in her song of praise since she too has experienced the overabundance of the grace of God. Magnificat is about the relationship of God with Mary. It is also about her response to that relationship. God continues to relate to us in a similar way. Let us too sing the praises of God for his unconditional mercy and love.