The Evangelist Luke is quite dramatic in today’s Gospel. He strings together six sentences connected by commas — kind of like a drum roll — before the star enters in the seventh sentence. It is John the Baptist, a main Advent character, who enters crying out: “Prepare the way of the Lord!” “Prepare the way” could also be a summary of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. (It’s a Holy Day, but it is transferred to tomorrow in deference to this Advent Sunday.) The Feast of the Immaculate Conception memorializes how Mary was untouched by original sin from the moment of her conception, as God prepares the way in preparation for her future as the mother of the Lord. We can also imagine during Advent the young Mary preparing everything needed to welcome a new baby. Mary of the Immaculate Conception is the patroness of the United States, but this week we also celebrate the feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas. Luke’s Gospel highlights the importance and holiness of poor people — like the indigenous (low caste) Juan Diego, to whom the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared. Luke’s Jesus will find no room in the inn and be born in a stable; low caste shepherds receive the first news of his birth. The two Marys of our week invite us to make way in our lives to prepare to welcome the Lord at Christmas, and to be generous to the poor in this giving season.
— Blog entry by Sister Mary Garascia
The post December 8, Second Sunday of Advent, Two Ladies: a Sunday Scriptures blog first appeared on Sisters of the Precious Blood.