Throughout the history of salvation, God has raised up individuals to whom he gave a mission related to creating and saving the people of the Covenant. Abraham, Moses, and the prophets each reluctantly accepted God’s call and helped to shape the people, the nation, the remnant.

In today’s readings, we are once again reminded of God’s mercy and protection of his people. As he had done so often in the past, he intervened in history and announced to the elderly and barren Sarah that she would bear a son, Samson. Elizabeth, who was elderly and barren, was told that she would bear a son, John the Baptist, who would announce the arrival of the Messiah.

Next week, we celebrate God’s most definitive intervention in human history. The Son of God, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped but emptied himself, becoming in the likeness of men.” Everything changed!

Jesus had a mission from the Father to announce the Kingdom of God.

His incarnation signified that every human being was a child of God and was to be treated with dignity and love. The scene of the child with his parents in the stable of Bethlehem becomes the scene of his agonizing death on the cross, followed by the empty tomb and his post-resurrection appearances.

Each time we gather to celebrate the Eucharist, we are charged with becoming the physical incarnation of Christ. “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.” We love and serve the Lord by being broken and poured out in loving service to all who are in need, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Jesus made it clear throughout his ministry that whatever we do to the least ones, we do to him. May God give us the grace to be faithful.

Let Us Pray:

Loving God and Creator of all that is, you sent your Son into this world to demonstrate your incredible love for every being on our planet and beyond. Please grant us an abundance of your grace to treat every person with love, honor, and respect, for in doing so, we honor you. Amen.