Fourth Sunday of Advent

Rom 1:1-7 Mt 1:18-24

 We are on the verge of Christmas, on the verge of the celebration of welcoming Christ into the world, the readings today focus on the virginity of Mary. Today’s homily can draw out the significance of what this says about us. Mary, after all, symbolizes the whole Church. She received Christ into her virginal body. The Church, too, as the Bride of Christ – and each of us individually – is called to a total fidelity which is symbolized by the virginity of Mary.

In other words, whatever the vocation of each of us, this spiritual (if not physical) virginity means we have no Lord besides Jesus. We do not worship false gods or become intimate with other deities. As Mary welcomed Christ in her virginity, so does the Church. “It is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her,” the Gospel passage tells us. So can we say, “It is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in us,” and “It is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in the world.” No human effort brings about Christmas. But by our “virginal” fidelity, the Spirit brings him forth into the world through us.

This is the “obedience of faith” of which Paul speaks in the second reading.

And part of this virginal fidelity, part of this obedience of faith, is our commitment to be pro-life. “God is with us” means that he is on the side of every human life, against all that would destroy it. So must we be.

                                                                     Fr. Terry