Homily of His Excellency Selim Sfeir Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
“Your mother took you to the hills of Judea while you were still in her womb, and there you met John, filling him with the joy of your Holy Spirit, and then the hills were filled with joy and gladness.” – Prayer of Forgiveness
Springing up from her encounter with the Archangel Gabriel, Mary went with haste to the hill country in Judea, to the house of Zechariah, to help her elderly cousin Elizabeth who was expecting the birth of John the Baptist. She was not instructed to do this work of charity by the archangel, but her first act as the Mother of God was to hurry to help, in a generous act of service. She could have very easily said to herself “I must quietly hide myself in my house and not go out among people, since I am carrying the Son of the Eternal Father!”
No, she did no such thing. With youthful exuberance, filled with God, the Virgin Mary went to the house of silence, the house of Zechariah. Punished for his lack of faith, Zechariah was made mute by the archangel. This chastisement would not be lifted until the birth of the Baptist. The Virgin Mary’s visit however brought the Mercy of God to the house, flooding it with grace.
Dancing for joy at the visitation of the Infant Christ in his mother’s womb, John was cleansed of original sin, and he proclaimed the nearness of salvation by his leap of joy in his mother’s womb. The presence of the unborn Christ flooded Elizabeth with the spirit of prophecy, making her cry out the words that would become the “Hail Mary” until the end of time and for all eternity “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”
The sweet aroma of a soul that is always speaking to God can change the direction of the world. The baptized follower of Christ with their soul, in the state grace will be an instrument of the Holy Spirit. Even an ordinary visit to a friend or loved one can be used by the Holy Spirit to heal the world and distribute the grace of God. In this beautiful season when we prepare for the birth of Christ, let us take advantage of every opportunity to smile at each other, to greet each other with friendship and kindness. Let us go out of our way to help someone in need. So much good can be and should be done in in this holy season, that it should cause everyone we meet to want the mercy of God in their lives.
Catechism of the Catholic Church #504
Jesus is conceived by the Holy Spirit in the Virgin Mary’s womb because he is the New Adam, who inaugurates the new creation: “The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven.” (1 Cor 15:45,47) From his conception, Christ’s humanity is filled with the Holy Spirit for God “gives him the Spirit without measure.” From “his fullness” as the head of redeemed humanity “we have all received, grace upon grace.” (John 3:34)
Prayer
O God of Peace, establish peace among all nations of the earth and among the children of your Church. Extend the right hand of your mercy upon us and upon our departed that we may glorify you, your Father and your Holy Spirit, forever. Amen.